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.
water in or from a branch, creek, stream, etc.; pure, natural water.
2.
Also called branch.Chiefly South Midland and Southern U.S.(in a drink, highball, etc.) plain water as distinguished from soda water, ginger ale, or the like; ordinary water.
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.
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.
[branch, brahnch] 
