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.
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.
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.
to divide into branches or sections.
to adorn with needlework; decorate with embroidery, as in textile fabrics.
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 complex
branches of learning
branch of the family
( as modifier )
a branch office
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
(intr) (of a tree or other plant) to produce or possess branches
(of stems, roots, etc) to grow and diverge (from another part)
to divide or be divided into subsidiaries or offshoots
to diverge from the main way, road, topic, etc
What is a basic definition of branch? A branch is a protruding part of a tree, something that juts out from a main part, or a division of a group or organization. The word branch has many other senses as a noun and a verb. For most trees, underground roots connect to the thick trunk that extends toward the sky. Jutting out of the trunk are branches, smaller limbs of the tree. Main branches, also called boughs, have smaller extensions with leaves on them. These are also called branches, but more often called twigs.
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.
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English bra(u)nche, from Anglo-French; Old French branche, from Late Latin branca “paw,” of uncertain origin
< French -branche, New Latin -branchia, from Latin branchiae “gills” ( see branchia ( def. ))
A branch can mean the "arm" of a tree, or any other kind of arm––a branch of a bank is a division of the bank. Branch also works as a verb. If you play soccer every day after school and you want to "branch out" athletically, you might consider playing tennis. You might turn onto a little road that branches off a main one. A branch of a river is called a tributary.
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
On Tuesday, a spokesman for the European Commission, the body’s executive branch, said the commission had “expressed concerns” about both the project and the environmental impacts of an Albanian law meant to attract large investors.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026
One viral video showed a branch of beloved fast-food chain Jollibee in General Santos City collapsing as onlookers watched in horror.
From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026
Both GM and Ford have struggled with their EV businesses and are attempting to branch out.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 9, 2026
Peru's leftist presidential contender told AFP Friday that he wants "respectful" relations with US President Donald Trump, extending an olive branch ahead of Sunday's tight runoff election.
From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026
Instead, the branch holding his left foot prisoner loosened.
From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
