Definition Definition

branch - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'branch' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Branch [ a.]
- Diverging from, or tributary to, a main stock, line, way, theme, etc.; as, a branch vein; a branch road or line; a branch topic; a branch store.
2 . Branch [ n.]
- A shoot or secondary stem growing from the main stem, or from a principal limb or bough of a tree or other plant.
- Any division extending like a branch; any arm or part connected with the main body of thing; ramification; as, the branch of an antler; the branch of a chandelier; a branch of a river; a branch of a railway.
- Any member or part of a body or system; a distinct article; a section or subdivision; a department.
- One of the portions of a curve that extends outwards to an indefinitely great distance; as, the branches of an hyperbola.
- A line of family descent, in distinction from some other line or lines from the same stock; any descendant in such a line; as, the English branch of a family.
- A warrant or commission given to a pilot, authorizing him to pilot vessels in certain waters.
3 . Branch [ v. i.]
- To shoot or spread in branches; to separate into branches; to ramify.
- To divide into separate parts or subdivision.
4 . Branch [ v. t.]
- To divide as into branches; to make subordinate division in.
- To adorn with needlework representing branches, flowers, or twigs.

Meaning of 'branch' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . branch [ n]
Meaning (1):
- a division of some larger or more complex organization
Example in sentence:
  • a branch of Congress;
  • botany is a branch of biology;
  • the Germanic branch of Indo-European languages
Meaning (2):
- any projection that is thought to resemble a human arm
Example in sentence:
  • a branch of the sewer;
  • an arm of the sea;
  • the arm of the record player
Meaning (3):
- a part of a forked or branching shape
Example in sentence:
  • he broke off one of the branches
4 . branch [ v]
Meaning (4):
- divide into two or more branches so as to form a fork
Example in sentence:
  • The road forks
Meaning (5):
- grow and send out branches or branch-like structures
Example in sentence:
  • these plants ramify early and get to be very large