Definition of root and branch
chiefly British
1
: complete or thorough
a root and branch overhaul of local schools
2
: completely or thoroughly
The laws were reformed root and branch.
Learn More About root and branch
Dictionary Entries Near root and branch
See More Nearby EntriesStatistics for root and branch
Look-up Popularity
Cite this Entry
“Root and branch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/root%20and%20branch. Accessed 17 Jun. 2021.
Style: MLA
MLA
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Test Your Vocabulary
Name that Thing: Dog Breeds
-
- Name that dog!
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Anagram puzzles meet word search.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share root and branch