a division or subdivision of the stem or axis of a tree, shrub, or other plant.
2.
a limb, offshoot, or ramification of any main stem: the branches of a deer's antlers.
3.
any member or part of a body or system; a section or subdivision: the various branches of learning.
4.
a local operating division of a business, library, or the like.
5.
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.
6.
a tributary stream or any stream that is not a large river or a bayou.
7.
Chiefly South Midland and Southern U.S.branch water(def. 2).
8.
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. Compare group(def. 4a).
9.
Computers. a point in a computer program where the computer selects one of two or more instructions to execute, according to some criterion.
10.
Nautical. a warrant or license permitting a pilot to navigate in certain waters.
–verb (used without object)
11.
to put forth branches; spread in branches.
12.
to divide into separate parts or subdivisions; diverge: The main road branches off to the left.
13.
to expand or extend, as business activities: The bank has plans to branch throughout the state.
–verb (used with object)
14.
to divide into branches or sections.
15.
to adorn with needlework; decorate with embroidery, as in textile fabrics.
—Verb phrase
16.
branch out, to expand or extend, as business activities, pursuits, interests, etc.: The business is branching out into computers.
Origin: 1250–1300; ME bra(u)nche < AF; OF branche < LL branca paw, of uncert. orig.
Related forms:
branchless, adjective
branchlike, adjective
Synonyms: 1.offshoot, shoot. 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. 12.ramify, subdivide.
A secondary woody stem or limb growing from the trunk or main stem of a tree or shrub or from another secondary limb.
A lateral division or subdivision of certain other plant parts, such as a root or flower cluster.
A secondary outgrowth or subdivision of a main axis, such as the tine of a deer's antlers.
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.
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.
A division of a business or other organization.
A division of a family, categorized by descent from a particular ancestor.
Linguistics A subdivision of a family of languages, such as the Germanic branch of Indo-European.
A tributary of a river.
Chiefly Southern U.S. See creek. See Regional Note at run.
A divergent section of a river, especially near the mouth.
A sequence of program instructions to which the normal sequence of instructions relinquishes control, depending on the value of certain variables.
The instructions executed as the result of such a passing of control.
Something that resembles a branch of a tree, as in form or function, as:
A secondary outgrowth or subdivision of a main axis, such as the tine of a deer's antlers.
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.
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.
A division of a business or other organization.
A division of a family, categorized by descent from a particular ancestor.
Linguistics A subdivision of a family of languages, such as the Germanic branch of Indo-European.
A tributary of a river.
Chiefly Southern U.S. See creek. See Regional Note at run.
A divergent section of a river, especially near the mouth.
A sequence of program instructions to which the normal sequence of instructions relinquishes control, depending on the value of certain variables.
The instructions executed as the result of such a passing of control.
A limited part of a larger or more complex unit or system, especially:
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.
A division of a business or other organization.
A division of a family, categorized by descent from a particular ancestor.
Linguistics A subdivision of a family of languages, such as the Germanic branch of Indo-European.
A tributary of a river.
Chiefly Southern U.S. See creek. See Regional Note at run.
A divergent section of a river, especially near the mouth.
A sequence of program instructions to which the normal sequence of instructions relinquishes control, depending on the value of certain variables.
The instructions executed as the result of such a passing of control.
A tributary of a river.
Chiefly Southern U.S. See creek. See Regional Note at run.
A divergent section of a river, especially near the mouth.
A sequence of program instructions to which the normal sequence of instructions relinquishes control, depending on the value of certain variables.
The instructions executed as the result of such a passing of control.
Mathematics A part of a curve that is separated, as by discontinuities or extreme points.
Computer Science
A sequence of program instructions to which the normal sequence of instructions relinquishes control, depending on the value of certain variables.
The instructions executed as the result of such a passing of control.
v.
branched, branch·ing, branch·es
v.
intr.
To put forth a branch or branches; spread by dividing.
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.
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.
v.
tr.
To separate (something) into or as if into branches.
To embroider (something) with a design of foliage or flowers.
[Middle English, from Old French branche, from Late Latin branca, paw, perhaps of Celtic origin.] branch'less adj., branch'y adj.
Synonyms: These nouns denote something resembling or structurally similar to a limb of a tree: a branch of a railroad; an arm of the sea; the western fork of the river; an offshoot of a mountain range.
1297, "limb of a tree" (also used of things analogous to it, especially geographic features), from O.Fr. branche, from L.L. branca "a claw, paw," of unknown origin, probably Gaulish. Meaning "local office of a business" is first recorded 1817, from earlier sense of "component part of a system" (1696). The verb meaning "to diverge from a central point" is first attested 1799.
Main Entry: branch Function: noun : a part of a complex body: as a: one of the three main divisions of the U.S. or a state government —see also EXECUTIVE, JUDICIARY, LEGISLATUREb: a division of a business or organization branch office> —see also branch bank at BANK
branch (brānch) n. An offshoot or a division of the main portion of a structure, especially that of a nerve, blood vessel, or lymphatic vessel; a ramus.
radioactive disintegration of a particular species of unstable atomic nucleus or subatomic particle that occurs by two or more different decay processes. Some nuclei of a given radioactive species may, for example, decay by ejecting an electron (negative beta decay) and the rest by ejecting an alpha particle (alpha decay). Thus, 64 percent of any collection of atoms of bismuth-212 decay to polonium-212 by ejecting electrons, while the rest (36 percent) decay to thallium-208 by ejecting alpha particles. The fraction decaying in a particular way is called the branching fraction or branching ratio.
Learn more about branching with a free trial on Britannica.com.
Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
Cite This Source
[branch, brahnch] 
