branch

[ branch, brahnch ]

/ bræntʃ, brɑntʃ /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR branch ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a division or subdivision of the stem or axis of a tree, shrub, or other plant.

a limb, offshoot, or ramification of any main stem: the branches of a deer's antlers.

any member or part of a body or system; a section or subdivision: the various branches of learning.

a local operating division of a business, library, or the like.

a line of family descent stemming from a particular ancestor, as distinguished from some other line or lines from the same stock; a division of a family.

a tributary stream or any stream that is not a large river or a bayou.

Chiefly South Midland and Southern U.S. branch water(def 2).

Linguistics. (in the classification of related languages within a family) a category of a lower order than a subfamily and of a higher order than a subbranch or a group, as the Germanic branch of Indo-European. Compare group(def 4a).

Computers. a point in a computer program where the computer selects one of two or more instructions to execute, according to some criterion.

Nautical. a warrant or license permitting a pilot to navigate in certain waters.

verb (used without object)

to put forth branches; spread in branches.

to divide into separate parts or subdivisions; diverge: The main road branches off to the left.

to expand or extend, as business activities: The bank has plans to branch throughout the state.

verb (used with object)

to divide into branches or sections.

to adorn with needlework; decorate with embroidery, as in textile fabrics.

Verb Phrases

branch out, to expand or extend, as business activities, pursuits, interests, etc.: The business is branching out into computers.

Origin of branch

1250–1300; Middle English bra(u)nche < Anglo-French; Old French branche < Late Latin branca paw, of uncertain origin

SYNONYMS FOR branch

1 offshoot, shoot.

12 ramify, subdivide.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR branch ON THESAURUS.COM

synonym study for branch

1. Branch, bough, limb refer to divisions of a tree. Branch is general, meaning either a large or a small division. Bough refers only to the larger branches: a bough loaded with apples. A limb is a large primary division of a tree trunk or of a bough: to climb out on a limb.

OTHER WORDS FROM branch

branch·less, adjective branch·like, adjective in·ter·branch, adjective mul·ti·branched, adjective

out·branch, verb (used with object) un·branched, adjective un·branch·ing, adjective un·der·branch, noun well-branched, adjective

Words nearby branch

brampton, bramwell, bran, bran tub, branagh, branch, branch cut, branch instruction, branch line, branch off, branch officer

British Dictionary definitions for branch out (1 of 2)

branch out

verb

(intr, adverb often foll by into) to expand or extend one's interests our business has branched out into computers now

British Dictionary definitions for branch out (2 of 2)

branch

/ (brɑːntʃ) /

noun

a secondary woody stem arising from the trunk or bough of a tree or the main stem of a shrub

a subdivision of the stem or root of any other plant

an offshoot or secondary part a branch of a deer's antlers

a subdivision or subsidiary section of something larger or more complexbranches of learning; branch of the family
(as modifier)a branch office

US any small stream

maths a section of a curve separated from the rest of the curve by discontinuities or special points

Also called: jump computing a departure from the normal sequence of programmed instructions into a separate program area

an alternative route in an atomic or nuclear decay series

verb

(intr) (of a tree or other plant) to produce or possess branches

(intr usually foll by from) (of stems, roots, etc) to grow and diverge (from another part)

to divide or be divided into subsidiaries or offshoots

(intr often foll by off) to diverge from the main way, road, topic, etc

Derived forms of branch

branchless, adjective branchlike, adjective branchy, adjective

Word Origin for branch

C13: from Old French branche, from Late Latin branca paw, foot

Medical definitions for branch out

branch

[ brănch ]

n.

An offshoot or a division of the main portion of a structure, especially that of a nerve, blood vessel, or lymphatic vessel; a ramus.

Idioms and Phrases with branch out (1 of 2)

branch out

Separate into subdivisions; strike off in a new direction. For example, Our software business is branching out into more interactive products, or Bill doesn't want to concentrate on just one field; he wants to branch out more. This term alludes to the growth habits of a tree's limbs. [Early 1700s] Also see branch off.

Idioms and Phrases with branch out (2 of 2)

branch

In addition to the idioms beginning with branch

branch off
branch out

also see:

olive branch
root and branch

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

branch

noun

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

Verb Phrases

Origin of branch

SYNONYMS FOR branch

synonym study for branch

OTHER WORDS FROM branch

Words nearby branch

British Dictionary definitions for branch out (1 of 2)

verb

British Dictionary definitions for branch out (2 of 2)

noun

verb

Derived forms of branch

Word Origin for branch

Medical definitions for branch out

n.

Idioms and Phrases with branch out (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with branch out (2 of 2)

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

branch

noun

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

Verb Phrases

Origin of branch

SYNONYMS FOR branch

synonym study for branch

OTHER WORDS FROM branch

Words nearby branch

Words related to branch out

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []) .push({}); British Dictionary definitions for branch out (1 of 2)

verb

British Dictionary definitions for branch out (2 of 2)

noun

verb

Derived forms of branch

Word Origin for branch

Medical definitions for branch out

n.

Idioms and Phrases with branch out (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with branch out (2 of 2)

British Dictionary definitions for branch out (1 of 2)