branch

Pluralbranches

Formsbranches, branching, branched

1. 1
   tree limbnouncountable

   A woody part growing from a tree's trunk or another branch, often splitting into smaller parts.

   Like an arm that grows out from a tree's body.

   A bird landed on the lowest branch of the oak tree.

   Heavy snow snapped several branches overnight.

   UsageBirds sit on a branch, or up in the branches.

   Similarlimb, bough, twig

   Note
2. 2
   local officenouncountable

   One of the offices or stores that belong to a larger company or organization.

   Like one shop in a chain of shops owned by the same company.

   She opened an account at the bank's downtown branch.

   The company has branches in five different cities.

   UsageSay at the branch: she works at the main branch.

   Similaroffice, outlet, store

   Oppositeheadquarters

3. 3
   part of governmentnouncountable

   One of the main parts of a government or a country's military, with its own powers and jobs.

   Congress is the branch of government that makes the laws.

   Which branch of the military did your grandfather serve in?

   UsageSay branch of government or branch of the military.

   Similardivision, arm, service

4. 4
   field of studynouncountable

   A part of a larger subject, business, or area of study.

   Like one part of a big tree of knowledge.

   Biology is a branch of science that studies living things.

   There are many branches of medicine to choose from.

   UsageSay a branch of science or of medicine.

   Similararea, field, subfield, discipline, division

5. 5
   split-off partnouncountable

   One of the parts that something splits into, the way a tree splits into limbs.

   Like the smaller roads that split off from one main road.

   The river splits into two branches before reaching the sea.

   We followed the left branch of the path up the hill.

   Similaroffshoot, fork, arm

6. 6
   split upverbtransitive or intransitive

   To split into separate parts, or to cause something to split apart.

   Like a road that splits into two smaller roads.

   The trail branches left and right at the big rock.

   Just past the farm, the road will branch into two narrow lanes.

   UsageOften branch into or branch off: a small road branches off the highway.

   Similardivide, split, fork, diverge, separate

   Oppositemerge, converge, join

7. 7
   sprout (plants)verbintransitive

   To grow branches, or for a branch to grow out from the trunk or a larger branch.

   Like a plant slowly growing more and more arms.

   Young trees branch quickly in good soil.

   The bush branched out in every direction.

8. 8
   family linenouncountable

   A part of a family that comes from one ancestor but is separate from the other parts.

   Like one part of a tree that grows from the same trunk as the others.

   Her branch of the family settled in the south long ago.

   The two branches of the family rarely met.

   Similarline, side, lineage

   Note
9. 9
   railway linenouncountable

   A smaller railway line that leaves the main line to reach other places.

   Like a small side road that leaves a big highway.

   The old branch to the coast closed many years ago.

   The train left the main line and took the branch to the small seaside town.

   UsageAlso called a branch line.

   Similarspur

   Note
10. 10
    noundialectalSouthern UScountable

    A small stream that flows into a bigger river.

    Like a small road that joins a big highway.

    We fished in the branch behind our grandfather's farm.

    The branch dries up every summer when there is little rain.

    UsageIn other places, people say creek or stream.

    Similarcreek, stream, tributary, brook

    Note
11. 11
    version controlnouncountable

    A separate copy of a project's files where changes can be made without affecting the main version.

    Like making a copy of your homework to try out changes, while keeping the original safe.

    She created a new branch to fix the bug without changing the main code.

    Each developer works on their own branch before combining the changes.

    UsageYou make a branch, then merge it back into the main code.

    Note

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