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
The Metro-North Railroad will see a combination of changes Monday, with hourly service on the main Harlem, Hudson and New Haven Lines, and weekend service on the Connecticut branches and Wassaic branch. Mark Prussin, CBS News, 21 Feb. 2026 Yeah, a little bit of a branch of the Broken Branches Tour, still kind of working off that album a little bit. Chris Willman, Variety, 20 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
  • At a blockade Monday on the outskirts of Tapalpa, 25-year-old Joel Ramírez and two friends were waiting for soldiers to clear a blockade of tree limbs.
    Megan Janetsky, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
  • If the pressure isn’t quickly released, compartment syndrome can lead to permanent damage and, in severe cases, be life-threatening or cost a person a limb.
    Mia Fishman, CNN Money, 23 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Genesis Jones, 23, and Dominic Jackson, 42, were identified as the deceased victims, according to local CBS affiliate WTVR.
    Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 22 Feb. 2026
  • The strikes targeted the Pakistani Taliban – also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) – and its affiliates, as well as a group associated with the Islamic State.
    Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 22 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Multiple agencies are working to contain a fuel spill in a tributary that feeds the Woodbury Creek after a utility truck crashed on Route 295 in West Deptford, New Jersey, Wednesday morning.
    Alexandra Simon, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
  • The park is about 60 miles east of Rapid City, and South Dakota Route 44 is a scenic road through open prairie, farms, small towns, and ranches along Rapid Creek, a tributary of the Cheyenne River.
    Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 19 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Fish and Wildlife spokesperson Cort Klopping said a department biologist headed to the area of the Verdugo Mountains where the attack occurred to investigate and spoke with McVay.
    Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2026
  • Hartman said the department is in touch with local and state crews regarding the wildfires, who will give them a 24-hour notice if an evacuation at Alligator Alcatraz becomes necessary.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Olive Nwosu's debut feature radiates a restless, pulsing energy — both through the thrum of Lagos and the courage of its women.
    Teresa Xie, NPR, 20 Feb. 2026
  • Air isn't as efficient as water or steam for storing and radiating heat.
    Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 17 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
  • The agency – while still enlarging its footprint across the country – may adopt more targeted, less public tactics going forward, according to reporting by CNN’s Priscilla Alvarez.
    Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 24 Feb. 2026
  • It is made available to other agencies as needed about 200 days out of the year, usually for a fee to cover the cost of operations.
    Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Fortunately, the woody stems do not seem to affect future growth and seasonal blooms.
    Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2026
  • With luminous foliage and vivid red stems this dazzling abelia has style to spare.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 19 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Branch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/branch. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.

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