branch 1 of 2

Definition of branchnext
1
as in limb
a major outgrowth from the main stem of a woody plant I loved climbing among the branches of that old tree

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in affiliate
a local unit of an organization a bank with many neighborhood branches

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in tributary
a stream that flows into a larger body of water the Blue Nile, the Atbara, and the White Nile are the three primary branches of the Nile River

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
as in department
a large unit of a governmental, business, or educational organization the two branches of the U.S. Congress

Synonyms & Similar Words

branch

2 of 2

verb

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of branch
Noun
Tiny butterflies, identifiable by species, flit among blooming epiphytes; red-breasted meadowlarks take to the air; an emerald-green quetzal perches on a branch. Susan Tallman, The Atlantic, 13 June 2026 Blackbeard production ramps up By producing more Blackbeard missiles, Castelion hopes to deploy the weapon across more branches of the military. Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 12 June 2026
Verb
Cut the long stems for a summery bouquet—the plants will branch and produce more flowers. Steve Bender, Southern Living, 30 May 2026 Oil and gas resources at Kenli 10-2 are stored in narrow and winding sand bodies beneath the seabed that form branching, tree-like patterns. Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 28 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for branch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for branch
Noun
  • The devices can make toys, prosthetic limbs and even airplane parts.
    David A. Lieb, Fortune, 15 June 2026
  • Please send your reports of hail or wind damage, including trees or large limbs downed, by calling the National Weather Service office in Wilmington at 1 800 697 3901.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 14 June 2026
Noun
  • Thomas was released from prison in 2018 after serving roughly 32 years, according to CNN affiliate Spectrum News NY1.
    Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
  • As the Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies squared off in a series earlier this week, news surfaced that the latter’s Double-A affiliate will be honoring Yesavage, who is from Boyertown, Pennsylvania, with a bobblehead depicting him in his high school jersey next month.
    Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
Noun
  • The water, too, was wild—the Allegheny and its tributaries had yet to be dammed, and Flag Swamp was noted as one of the last hideouts for beavers in the state.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 June 2026
  • In this case, the obstacle was the Vovcha River, a tributary of the Siverskyi Donets.
    Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 7 June 2026
Noun
  • The department would eventually sue the medical school if such a resolution is not found.
    Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
  • The Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 to put the measure on the ballot, with an allocation plan that will move revenue primarily to nonprofit health care providers and county health departments and hospitals, but also to Planned Parenthood and city health care departments in Pasadena and Long Beach.
    Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • From the Harvest Supermoon that radiates abundance and warmth, to the Cold Supermoon that glows with icy clarity, each lunar moment reflects a different mood and personality.
    Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 8 Dec. 2025
  • These waves radiate outward in all directions, sometimes spanning entire ocean basins.
    Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • Heme iron may damage cells that line your colon, increasing the risk those cells become cancerous.
    Cynthia Sass, Health, 11 Dec. 2025
  • These deliveries focus not only on supporting exploration and testing power grids, but also on less obvious efforts, such as establishing lunar cell networks and spectrum rollout.
    Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 11 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • The agency did not disclose the location of the home where the fawn was found.
    Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2026
  • Current law does not require Cal Fire to check local permits, which led the agency to approve licenses that listed the Esparto property as a fireworks storage site for years.
    Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 16 June 2026
Verb
  • Their modern territorial claims stem largely from a 1907 map drawn when Cambodia was under French colonial rule, which Thailand has argued is inaccurate.
    CBS News, CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025
  • This aggressive grower creates thorny thickets that are difficult to remove during the growing season, when its dense leaves make its thorny stems hard to see.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Dec. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Branch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/branch. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on branch

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster