ramification
Americannoun
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the act or process of ramifying.
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a branch.
ramifications of a nerve.
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a related or derived subject, problem, etc.; outgrowth; consequence; implication.
The new tax law proved to have many ramifications unforeseen by the lawmakers.
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Botany.
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a structure formed of branches.
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a configuration of branching parts.
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noun
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the act or process of ramifying or branching out
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an offshoot or subdivision
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(often plural) a subsidiary consequence, esp one that complicates
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a structure of branching parts
Etymology
Origin of ramification
1670–80; < Middle French < Medieval Latin rāmificāt ( us ) (past participle of rāmificāre to ramify ) + Middle French -ion -ion
Explanation
A ramification is an accidental consequence that complicates things. Remember that time you borrowed your father's car without asking? The ramification was that Dad missed an important meeting, his company went under, and he had to sell the car. Oops! The ramifications are the broader effects that fan out into the world from one situation, or decision, that kicks it all off. Ramification also refers to something branching out, like limbs on a tree — which is what bad decisions tend to do. Ramification is like consequence, but usually unintended and bad. The word is often used in political discussions about laws or government decisions because they might be made locally but could affect people worldwide.
Vocabulary lists containing ramification
Fast Food Nation
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Born a Crime
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Unit 1: Telling Details
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The ramification of this could be far reaching, she says, given how reliant the U.K. is on the U.S. for both security and trade.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026
Macroeconomists are worried that if the gold rally is a sign of a bubble, it could burst — with dangerous ramification for the global economy.
From MarketWatch • Oct. 16, 2025
Another possible ramification is that there will be fewer IVF providers, he said.
From Seattle Times • Feb. 21, 2024
This ramification wraps around an inner structure, enabling cooling winds off the sea to ventilate the property.
From BBC • Nov. 11, 2023
That is to say, I feel the sudden blast of this terrible truth, yet I know the full ramification of it hasn’t settled in yet.
From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman
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.
