Branch — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈbranch/

Meaning & Definition of Branch

Branch (noun)

  1. a natural subdivision of a plant stem; especially, a secondary shoot or stem (such as a bough) arising from a main axis (as of a tree)
  2. something that extends from or enters into a main body or source
  3. a stream that flows into another usually larger stream, tributary

Branch (verb)

  1. to put forth secondary shoots or stems, to put forth branches, ramify
  2. to extend in different directions from a main part or point, to spring out (as from a main stem), diverge
  3. to develop or derive from a source, to be an outgrowth —used with from

Branch (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a major outgrowth from the main stem of a woody plant

    "I loved climbing among the branches of that old tree"

    similar: bough, limb
    related: branchlet, offshoot, outgrowth, shoot, spur, spray, sprig, twig

  2. a local unit of an organization

    "a bank with many neighborhood branches"

    similar: affiliate, cell, chapter, council, local
    related: arm, division, wing, offshoot, subchapter, lodge, post

  3. a stream that flows into a larger body of water

    "the Blue Nile, the Atbara, and the White Nile are the three primary branches of the Nile River"

    similar: affluent, bayou, confluent, feeder, influent, tributary
    related: backwater, brook, brooklet, creek, rill, rivulet, run (chiefly Midland), streamlet, fountainhead, head, headstream, headwater, source
    opposite: distributary, effluent

  4. a large unit of a governmental, business, or educational organization

    "the two branches of the U.S. Congress"

    similar: agency, arm, bureau, department, desk, division, office, service
    related: subdepartment, subdivision

Branch (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to extend outwards from or as if from a central point

    "threads branched from the center of the spider web"

    similar: fan (out), radiate, ray
    related: diffuse, dispel, disperse, dissipate, fork, stem, diverge, divide, part, ramify, separate, split, uncouple, unlink, unyoke, scatter, splay, spread, arise, derive, emanate, flow, issue, proceed, spring
    opposite: concentrate, converge, focus, funnel, meet
    near: approach, close in (on), near, center (on), centralize, connect, couple, join, link, unite

Related Entry: Branch (out) (verb)

Branch (out) is a different word from Branch. The synonyms below are for branch (out), not for branch.

  1. to go or move in different directions from a central point

    "the vine branched out as it climbed the trellis"

    similar: diverge, divide, fork, part, separate, spread
    related: bestrew, break up, broadcast, clear out, disband, dispel, disperse, dissipate, distribute, scatter, sow, distance, recede, retreat
    opposite: converge, join
    near: assemble, gather, meet

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Branch

The most common words with a similar meaning to Branch:

bough, limb, affiliate, cell, chapter, council, local, affluent, bayou, confluent, feeder, influent, tributary, agency, arm, bureau, department, desk, division, office, service, fan (out), radiate, ray

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Branch

Words with the opposite meaning of Branch:

distributary, effluent, concentrate, converge, focus, funnel, meet

Related Words for Branch

branchlet, offshoot, outgrowth, shoot, spur, spray, sprig, twig, wing, subchapter, lodge, post, backwater, brook, brooklet, creek, rill, rivulet, run, streamlet, fountainhead, head, headstream, headwater, source, subdepartment, subdivision, diffuse, dispel, disperse

Near Antonyms of Branch

approach, close in (on), near, center (on), centralize, connect, couple, join, link, unite

Word Forms of Branch

Inflections: branched, branching, branches

Derived words: branched (adjective), branchless (adjective), branchy (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Branch

Middle English, from Anglo-French branche, from Late Latin branca paw

First known use: 13th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Branch

Words & Phrases Containing Branch

branch line, branch water, branch off, branch out, executive branch, judicial branch, legislative branch, olive branch

Frequently Asked Questions about Branch

What does "Branch" mean?

"Branch" means a natural subdivision of a plant stem; especially, a secondary shoot or stem (such as a bough) arising from a main axis (as of a tree). As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a natural subdivision of a plant stem; especially, a secondary shoot or stem (such as a bough) arising from a main axis (as of a tree). It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Branch"?

Other words for "Branch" include bough, limb, affiliate, cell, chapter, council, local and affluent. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Branch" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Branch"?

There are 76 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Branch". Common alternatives include bough, limb, affiliate, cell, chapter, council, local, affluent, bayou and confluent.

What is the opposite of "Branch"?

Antonyms of "Branch" include distributary, effluent, concentrate, converge, focus, funnel and meet. Near antonyms include approach, close in (on), near and center (on).

How do you use "Branch" in a sentence?

Examples of "Branch" in a sentence: "I loved climbing among the branches of that old tree"; "a bank with many neighborhood branches"; "the Blue Nile, the Atbara, and the White Nile are the three primary branches of the Nile River".

Is "Branch" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Branch" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Branch" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "Branch" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.

How do you pronounce "Branch"?

"Branch" is pronounced /ˈbranch/.