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

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

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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

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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

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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
Lowe’s employs approximately 300,000 people and operates over 1,700 home improvement stores, 530 branches and 130 distribution centers. Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026 Suckers often grow at a much more rapid pace than the growing tips of the older branches. Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
Latin superstar singer Bad Bunny is branching into the podcast game. Todd Spangler, Variety, 5 Feb. 2026 Gray matter consists of regions of nerve cell bodies and branching nerve fibers called dendrites, as well as points of connection between nerve cells. Christopher M. Filley, The Conversation, 3 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for branch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for branch
Noun
  • Researchers combined a type of observational learning with intercommunication between its limbs to boost robots’ flexibility.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 16 Feb. 2026
  • Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The Arkansas Education Association is the state affiliate of the National Education Association, a nationwide labor union representing educators.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Take control of your money with CNBC Select CNBC Select is editorially independent and may earn a commission from affiliate partners on links.
    Mark Travers, CNBC, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • This one brought us to Rocamadour, a magnificent medieval town in Occitania, set on a cliffside above a tributary of the Dordogne River.
    Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
  • The Winneshiek County dairy with about 330 head of dairy cattle has been cited for two previous fish kill incidents, where manure leaked from the operation into a tributary of Dry Run Creek.
    Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The department has been aggressively going after states that handed out commercial driver’s licenses to immigrants who shouldn’t have qualified for them ever since a fatal crash in August.
    Josh Funk, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
  • This respiratory season, the city of Chicago has seen the highest levels of emergency department visits and hospitalizations from flu since 2022.
    Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The bright and sweet Buckaroo radiates sincerity.
    David Glickman, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Instead, find something that does jive with you—whether that’s yoga class, power lifting, or pickleball—and allow your resulting delight to radiate.
    Outside, Outside, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The active component in milk thistle seeds, silymarin, has been shown in some studies to increase glutathione levels naturally up to 35-50% by protecting liver cells and supporting their function.
    Brianna Peters, Vogue, 21 Feb. 2026
  • The researchers found that the cells retained mechanical integrity under bending, stretching, and compression.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 21 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • In a year culturally associated with agency and momentum, such symbolic gestures felt static.
    Yiling Pan, Vogue, 17 Feb. 2026
  • However, some rank-and-file Democrats are still floating the idea of funding everything except ICE and Customs and Border Protection, arguing those agencies are already funded and should be isolated from other key government functions.
    Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 17 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Debris such as leaves, flower petals, stems and other parts of plants that fall off decompose into the soil.
    Chris McKeown, Cincinnati Enquirer, 14 Feb. 2026
  • My crabapple and witchhazel sprout extra stems at the bottom of their trunks.
    Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 13 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Branch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/branch. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.

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