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
Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
In recent years, as gridlock in Congress has often slowed federal policymaking and the U.S. Supreme Court continues to rein in the power of the executive branch, states have become even more important policy actors.
—Jenna Bednar, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2024
Ramishah Maruf, CNN, 26 Oct. 2024
Pinching mums encourages them to branch more, which gives a fuller appearance and, eventually, more flower heads.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for branch 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Noun
The company completed the acquisition of the East Syracuse branch from Berkshire Bank (BHLB-0.83%) on July 19, 2024, assuming $186.0 million in deposits and acquiring $29.9 million in loans.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
In recent years, as gridlock in Congress has often slowed federal policymaking and the U.S. Supreme Court continues to rein in the power of the executive branch, states have become even more important policy actors.
—Jenna Bednar, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
But its location in pricey Soho aims to branch outside of the Middle Eastern communities in Brooklyn and Queens.
—Ramishah Maruf, CNN, 26 Oct. 2024
Pinching mums encourages them to branch more, which gives a fuller appearance and, eventually, more flower heads.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for branch
Dictionary Entries Near branch
Cite this Entry
“Branch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/branch. Accessed 22 Nov. 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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