Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » branch

branch

Listen See in Thesaurus See in a sentence

The definition of a branch is a part of a plant stem or a part of something which is larger and more complex.

(noun)

An example of branch is the limb of a tree.
An example of branch is the police force as a part of a community's government.

Branch means to divide into separate parts or to expand the scope.

(verb)

An example of branch is for a road to split in two directions.
An example of branch is for a bank to create more local branches.

See branch in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

any woody extension growing from the trunk or main stem, or from a main limb, of a tree or shrub
anything physically resembling a branch, as a tine of a deer's antler
☆
1. one of the streams into which a river or large creek may divide, usually near the mouth
2. a large tributary flowing into a river
☆ Chiefly South a small stream flowing usually into a creek
☆ branch water
any part or extension of a main body or system; specif.,
1. a division or part of a body of learning: optics is a branch of physics
2. a division of a family descending from a common ancestor
3. a subdivision of a family of languages
4. a division or a separately located unit of an organization: a library branch
5. a post-office subdivision outside the community where its main post office is located
6. Comput. a jump (), esp. one that selects one of two or more alternative instructions as the next executed

Origin: ME branche < OFr brance < LL branca, a claw, paw

intransitive verb

to put forth branches; spread in or divide into branches; ramify
to come out (from the trunk or stem) as a branch
Comput. to continue at an instruction in another part of the program by means of a branch ()

transitive verb

to separate into branches
to embroider with a pattern of flowers, foliage, etc.

Related Forms:

branched adjective
branchlike adjective

See branch in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. A secondary woody stem or limb growing from the trunk or main stem of a tree or shrub or from another secondary limb.
b. A lateral division or subdivision of certain other plant parts, such as a root or flower cluster.
Something that resembles a branch of a tree, as in form or function, as:
a. A secondary outgrowth or subdivision of a main axis, such as the tine of a deer's antlers.
b. Anatomy An offshoot or a division of the main portion of a structure, especially that of a nerve, blood vessel, or lymphatic vessel; a ramus.
A limited part of a larger or more complex unit or system, especially:
a. An area of specialized skill or knowledge, especially academic or vocational, that is related to but separate from other areas: the judicial branch of government; the branch of medicine called neurology.
b. A division of a business or other organization.
c. A division of a family, categorized by descent from a particular ancestor.
d. Linguistics A subdivision of a family of languages, such as the Germanic branch of Indo-European.
a. A tributary of a river.
b. Chiefly Southern U.S. See creek. See Regional Note at run.
c. A divergent section of a river, especially near the mouth.
Mathematics A part of a curve that is separated, as by discontinuities or extreme points.
Computer Science
a. A sequence of program instructions to which the normal sequence of instructions relinquishes control, depending on the value of certain variables.
b. The instructions executed as the result of such a passing of control.

verb branched branched, branch·ing, branch·es

verb, intransitive

To put forth a branch or branches; spread by dividing.
a. To come forth as a branch or subdivision; develop or diverge from: an unpaved road that branches from the main road; a theory that branches from an older system of ideas.
b. To enlarge the scope of one's interests, business, or activities: branch out from physics into related fields.
Computer Science To relinquish control to another set of instructions or another routine as a result of the presence of a branch.

verb, transitive