First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1branch
noun, often attributive \ˈbranch\
: a part of a tree that grows out from the trunk
: a local office or shop of a company or organization
: a major part of a government
Full Definition of BRANCH
1
: a natural subdivision of a plant stem; especially : a secondary shoot or stem (as a bough) arising from a main axis (as of a tree)
2
: something that extends from or enters into a main body or source: as a (1) : a stream that flows into another usually larger stream : tributary (2) Southern & Midland : creek 2 b : a side road or way c : a slender projection (as the tine of an antler) d : a distinctive part of a mathematical curve e : a part of a computer program executed as a result of a program decision
3
: a part of a complex body: as a : a division of a family descending from a particular ancestor b : an area of knowledge that may be considered apart from related areas <pathology is a branch of medicine> c (1) : a division of an organization (2) : a separate but dependent part of a central organization <the neighborhood branch of the city library> d : a language group less inclusive than a family <the Germanic branch of the Indo-European language family>
— branched \ˈbrancht\ adjective
— branch·less \ˈbranch-ləs\ adjective
— branchy \ˈbran-chē\ adjective
See branch defined for English-language learners
See branch defined for kids
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Origin of BRANCH
Middle English, from Anglo-French branche, from Late Latin branca paw
Related to BRANCH
- Antonyms
- distributary, effluent
Other Botany Terms
2branch
verb
: to divide into smaller parts : to separate into branches
Full Definition of BRANCH
intransitive verb
2
: to spring out (as from a main stem) : diverge
3
: 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>
5
: to follow one of two or more branches (as in a computer program)
transitive verb
1
: to ornament with designs of branches
2
: to divide up : section
See branch defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of BRANCH
14th century
BRANCHLESS Defined for Kids
1branch
noun \ˈbranch\
Definition of BRANCH for Kids
1
: a part of a tree that grows out from the trunk or from a main division of the trunk
2
: something extending from a main line or body like a branch <a branch of a railroad>
3
: a division or subordinate part of something <a branch of government> <The bank opened a new branch.>
— branched \ˈbrancht\ adjective
2branch
verb
branchedbranch·ing
Definition of BRANCH for Kids
: to spread or divide into smaller or attached parts : send out a branch <It was a long corridor and it branched into other corridors … — Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden>
Medical Dictionary
branch
noun \ˈbranch\
Medical Definition of BRANCH
1
: something that extends from or enters into a main body or source <a branch of an artery>
2
: an area of knowledge that may be considered apart from related areas <pathology is a branch of medicine>
—branch intransitive verb
—branched \ˈbrancht\ adjective
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