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

Example sentences from the Web for branching

All these talented chefs are graduating from these old-guard kitchens and branching out and the market is saturated.

High Rents Are Killing the Restaurant Capital |Will Doig |October 28, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Branching tunnels disappeared into the darkness, studded with chiseled rock chambers.

The Real Monuments Men: The Coronation Chamber of Hitler |Robert Edsel |February 6, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
After dropping out of FIT, Oliver focused on his brand, branching out into sweatshirt design and ready-to-wear.

Street Wear Brand Hood by Air Makes Fashion Week Debut |Misty White Sidell |February 11, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
Dwyane Wade Launches Sneakers: Basketball superstar Dwyane Wade is branching into fashion, with a new Wade lifestyle brand.

Kate Upton Lands Second Vogue Cover; Lena Dunham Does Twiggy |The Fashion Beast Team |December 6, 2012 |DAILY BEAST

According to one publicist, the answer lies in branching out into a "horizontally integrated economic model."

The Economy of the Aging Sex Kitten |Nicole LaPorte |November 15, 2010 |DAILY BEAST
A tall grower, branching freely, therefore well adapted to back rows, or massing.

Amateur Gardencraft |Eben E. Rexford
It is a very similar plant in many respects, but may be easily distinguished by its smaller heads of flowers on branching stalks.

Field and Woodland Plants |William S. Furneaux
Ay, Johnnie, you would have wondered at those—a dozen stags' heads with branching horns in the hall.'

Heartsease |Charlotte M. Yonge
There seem to be two roads, one branching off to the right, remarked Jerry, pointing to the map.

The Motor Boys in Mexico |Clarence Young
The plant she holds in her hand is a branching and flowering one, the seed-vessel prominent.

Aratra Pentelici, Seven Lectures on the Elements of Sculpture |John Ruskin

British Dictionary definitions for branching (1 of 2)

branching

/ (ˈbrɑːntʃɪŋ) /

noun

physics the occurrence of several decay paths (branches) in the disintegration of a particular nuclide or the de-excitation of an excited atom. The branching fraction (nuclear) or branching ratio (atomic) is the proportion of the disintegrating nuclei that follow a particular branch to the total number of disintegrating nuclides

British Dictionary definitions for branching (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 branching

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 branching

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

Example sentences from the Web for branching

British Dictionary definitions for branching (1 of 2)

noun

British Dictionary definitions for branching (2 of 2)

noun

verb

Derived forms of branch

Word Origin for branch

Medical definitions for branching

n.

Idioms and Phrases with branching

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 branching

Example sentences from the Web for branching

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

noun

British Dictionary definitions for branching (2 of 2)

noun

verb

Derived forms of branch

Word Origin for branch

Medical definitions for branching

n.

Idioms and Phrases with branching

British Dictionary definitions for branching (1 of 2)