often attributive
1
botany
: a natural subdivision of a plant stem
especially
: a secondary shoot or stem (such as a bough) arising from a main axis (as of a tree)
pruning the tree's lower branches
a swing mounted on a tree branch
2
: something that extends from or enters into a main body or source: such as
a(1)
: a stream that flows into another usually larger stream : tributary
the river's smaller branches
(2)
Southern US and Midland US
: creek sense 1
b
: a side road or way
the railroad's branch line
c
: a slender projection (such as the tine of an antler)
the branches of a menorah
d
mathematics
: a distinctive part of a mathematical curve (see curve entry 3 sense 1a(2))
e
computers
: a part of a computer program executed as a result of a program decision
3
: a part of a complex body: such as
a
: a division of a family descending from a particular ancestor
the Iranian branch of the family
b
: an area of knowledge that may be considered apart from related areas
orthopedics and other branches of medicine
syntax is a branch of linguistics
c(1)
: a division of an organization
a branch of the armed services
the government's legislative and executive branches
(2)
: a separate but dependent part of a central organization
the neighborhood branch of the city library
d
linguistics
: a language group less inclusive than a family (see family entry 1 sense 5c)
the Germanic branch of the Indo-European language family
branched; branching; branches
1
botany
: to put forth secondary shoots or stems : to put forth branches (see branch entry 1 sense 1) : ramify
an elm branching out over the rooftop
2
: to extend in different directions from a main part or point : to spring out (as from a main stem) : diverge
where the spring branches off from the river
3
: to develop or derive from a source : to be an outgrowth
—used with from
poetry that branched from religious prose
4
: to extend activities
—usually used with out
the business is branching out into formal wear
5
computers
: to follow one of two or more parts of a computer program executed as a result of a program decision : to follow one of two or more branches (see branch entry 1 sense 2e)
1
: to ornament with designs of branches (see branch entry 1 sense 1)
branched velvet
2
: to divide up : section
Examples of branch in a Sentence
Noun
birds singing from the branches of a tree
The bank has a new branch in our area.
She works at the branch office downtown.
Verb
The stream branches from the river near their house.
threads branched from the center of the spider web
Recent Examples on the Web
Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 13 Apr. 2024
In 2018, according to charging documents, Mizuhara accompanied Ohtani, who didn’t speak English, to a bank branch in Arizona to assist the player in opening the account, serving as translator.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
As surprising as this now seems, until 1960, several of the U.S. military branches had their own individual plans for nuclear war.
—Annie Jacobsen, TIME, 11 Apr. 2024
The first, called Biden v. Nebraska, was a suit filed against the Biden administration’s efforts to use powers granted to the executive branch in a state of emergency to wipe out up to $30,000 in debt for millions of Americans.
—Daniel Desrochers, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2024
Underground nymphs may harm plant roots; adult cicadas lay eggs in branches, leading to tree and shrub damage.
—The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
The trio used palm tree branches to make their desperate plea.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 11 Apr. 2024
The gloves are also handy for work in brushy yards and will protect against scratches from branches, insect bites, and poison ivy.
—Rachel Ahrnsen, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Apr. 2024
Even some staffers at the Office of Federal Student Aid, the branch of the Education Department that administers the FAFSA, were miffed at their bosses’ handling of the rollout, two agency officials not authorized to speak publicly told USA TODAY.
—Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2024
Lee Alisha Williams, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2023
The principal type of neuron in the cerebellum, called the Purkinje cell, is widely branching like a fan coral, yet flattened and nearly two-dimensional.
—R Douglas Fields, WIRED, 31 Mar. 2024
So Medieval Blue Bendy have spent years bubbling in London’s indie undercurrents, taking their time to branch away from monologue-rock towards witty indie-pop chronicles that are as indebted to Broadcast and Destroyer as Dry Cleaning or Black Country, New Road.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 19 Mar. 2024
Within a few years, the creator branched into more art of celebrities, like Stevie Wonder, Meatloaf, Prince and even Betty White, to sell for charity, and eventually commissioned portraits of families and pets.
—Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 7 Mar. 2024
Since then, Improbable’s M2 network has also branched into other sports, creating metaverses that act as a kind of meet-and-greet for fans and professional athletes, such as Arsenal Football Club’s Oleksandr Zinchenko.
—Sarah Valenzuela, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2023
Assembly Some hanging baskets come pre-assembled, while others require you to arrange the flower stems or branches yourself.
—Lee Alisha Williams, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2023
He’s held several positions since, forming his own marketing group, serving on several committees and boards, and even branching into television production.
—Gillian Brassil, Sacramento Bee, 22 Jan. 2024
Most events take place at Mt. Hood, but the organization has branched into the Seattle area to meet demand, hosting an event at the Summit in Snoqualmie.
—Matt Kirouac, Travel + Leisure, 3 Jan. 2024
Noun
The female then lays eggs in holes made in tree branches and shrubs, National Geographic reports.
—Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 13 Apr. 2024
In 2018, according to charging documents, Mizuhara accompanied Ohtani, who didn’t speak English, to a bank branch in Arizona to assist the player in opening the account, serving as translator.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
As surprising as this now seems, until 1960, several of the U.S. military branches had their own individual plans for nuclear war.
—Annie Jacobsen, TIME, 11 Apr. 2024
The first, called Biden v. Nebraska, was a suit filed against the Biden administration’s efforts to use powers granted to the executive branch in a state of emergency to wipe out up to $30,000 in debt for millions of Americans.
—Daniel Desrochers, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2024
Underground nymphs may harm plant roots; adult cicadas lay eggs in branches, leading to tree and shrub damage.
—The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
The trio used palm tree branches to make their desperate plea.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 11 Apr. 2024
The gloves are also handy for work in brushy yards and will protect against scratches from branches, insect bites, and poison ivy.
—Rachel Ahrnsen, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Apr. 2024
Even some staffers at the Office of Federal Student Aid, the branch of the Education Department that administers the FAFSA, were miffed at their bosses’ handling of the rollout, two agency officials not authorized to speak publicly told USA TODAY.
—Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2024
Verb
Some hanging baskets come pre-assembled, while others require you to arrange the flower stems or branches yourself.
—Lee Alisha Williams, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2023
The principal type of neuron in the cerebellum, called the Purkinje cell, is widely branching like a fan coral, yet flattened and nearly two-dimensional.
—R Douglas Fields, WIRED, 31 Mar. 2024
So Medieval Blue Bendy have spent years bubbling in London’s indie undercurrents, taking their time to branch away from monologue-rock towards witty indie-pop chronicles that are as indebted to Broadcast and Destroyer as Dry Cleaning or Black Country, New Road.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 19 Mar. 2024
Within a few years, the creator branched into more art of celebrities, like Stevie Wonder, Meatloaf, Prince and even Betty White, to sell for charity, and eventually commissioned portraits of families and pets.
—Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 7 Mar. 2024
Since then, Improbable’s M2 network has also branched into other sports, creating metaverses that act as a kind of meet-and-greet for fans and professional athletes, such as Arsenal Football Club’s Oleksandr Zinchenko.
—Sarah Valenzuela, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2023
Assembly Some hanging baskets come pre-assembled, while others require you to arrange the flower stems or branches yourself.
—Lee Alisha Williams, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2023
He’s held several positions since, forming his own marketing group, serving on several committees and boards, and even branching into television production.
—Gillian Brassil, Sacramento Bee, 22 Jan. 2024
Most events take place at Mt. Hood, but the organization has branched into the Seattle area to meet demand, hosting an event at the Summit in Snoqualmie.
—Matt Kirouac, Travel + Leisure, 3 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'branch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near branch
Cite this Entry
“Branch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/branch. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
branch
1 of 2 noun1
: a natural division of a plant stem (as a bough growing from a trunk or twig from a bough)
2
: something extending from a main line or source
river branch
a railroad branch
3
: a separate or subordinate division or part of a central system
executive branch of the government
a branch of a bank
branch
2 of 2 verb1
: to send out branches : spread or separate into branches
a great elm branches over the yard
2
: to spring out from a main body or line : diverge
streets branching off the highway
3
: to extend activities
the business is branching out all over the state
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