branch
brahnch
Branch (noun) means a woody offshoot growing from the trunk or a larger limb of a tree. Example: “A low branch scraped the roof of the car as we drove down the lane.”
noun
1
A woody offshoot growing from the trunk or a larger limb of a tree.
"A low branch scraped the roof of the car as we drove down the lane."
"The bird built its nest in a branch near the top of the oak."
"The children climbed onto a thick branch and watched the street below."
2
One of several local offices or outlets belonging to a larger organisation.
"She opened an account at the branch nearest her office."
"The bank closed its smaller branches and moved services online."
"The company has a branch in almost every large town in the country."
3
A distinct part or subdivision of a subject, family, or system.
"Genetics is a branch of biology."
"He comes from the Scottish branch of the family."
"Algebra is one branch of mathematics that students often find difficult."
verb
1
To split into two or more parts, or to grow outward like a tree limb.
"The road branches off just past the church."
"The company branched out into online sales last year."
"The river branches into several small streams before it reaches the sea."
How to use branch
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA part that grows or splits off from a main thing — a tree limb, a local office, or a subdivision of a subject.
Common pairings
branch off
branch out
local branch
branch of the family
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Word forms
- Plural
- branches
- Third person singular
- branches
- Past tense
- branched
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A low _____ scraped the roof of the car as we drove down the lane.
Etymology
From Old French branche, from Late Latin branca ("paw, claw") — the word originally pictured a tree limb reaching out like a claw.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for branch
See all rhymes for branch →Frequently asked questions
What does “branch” mean?
The word “branch” means a woody offshoot growing from the trunk or a larger limb of a tree. In plain terms, a part that grows or splits off from a main thing — a tree limb, a local office, or a subdivision of a subject.
How do you pronounce “branch”?
“Branch” is pronounced brahnch (/bɹænt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “branch” in a sentence?
Here is “branch” used in a sentence: “A low branch scraped the roof of the car as we drove down the lane.”
What is another word for “branch”?
Words with a similar meaning to “branch” include ramify.
What is the opposite of “branch”?
The opposite of “branch” — its antonyms — is crotch.
What part of speech is “branch”?
Depending on how it is used, “branch” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “branch” come from?
The word “branch” comes from Late Latin. From Old French branche, from Late Latin branca ("paw, claw") — the word originally pictured a tree limb reaching out like a claw.
Is “branch” a common word?
“Branch” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between a branch and a twig?
A branch is a larger woody limb growing from the trunk or from a bigger limb of a tree. A twig is a small, thin shoot at the outer end of a branch, usually bearing leaves or buds. In short, twigs are the slender tips; branches are the sturdier structures that hold them.
What is the difference between a branch and a bough?
A bough is one of the main, large branches growing directly from the trunk of a tree. Branch is the more general word, covering limbs of any size, from thick boughs down to smaller offshoots. Every bough is a branch, but not every branch is large enough to be called a bough.
What are the other meanings of branch?
Beyond trees, a branch is a local office or division of a larger organisation, such as a bank branch. It also means a subdivision of a subject or family — a branch of science, or of a family tree — and a smaller stream that splits from a river. All echo the idea of dividing outward.
What is an example of a branch?
The limb a bird perches on or a swing hangs from is a branch of a tree. Figuratively, 'the company's Leeds branch' is a local office, and 'a branch of mathematics' is a subdivision of the subject. Each grows out from a larger main body, just as a limb grows from a trunk.
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