branch

noun countable

UK /brɑːntʃ/

Word Forms

singular	branch
plural	branches

1
a part of a tree that grows out of its trunk (=main stem) with leaves, flowers, or fruit growing on it. A very small branch is called a twig
The wind rustled the bare branches of the trees.
There was a bird perched on the topmost branch.
Synonyms and related words
Parts of trees
bark
blossom
bole
2
a shop or office representing a large company or organization in a particular area
The store has branches in over 50 cities.
a branch manager
Synonyms and related words
Departments in companies and organizations
acquisitions
arm
back office
1. 2a
  the members of an organization, club, or political party in a particular area: can be followed by a singular or plural verb
  the president of the Glasgow branch of the AA
  the branch secretary/treasurer
  Synonyms and related words
  Group members and describing group members
  academician
  alumnus
  arriviste
2. 2b
  a department that performs a particular job or has a particular responsibility: can be followed by a singular or plural verb
  the anti-terrorism branch of Scotland Yard
  Synonyms and related words
  Departments in companies and organizations
  acquisitions
  arm
  back office
3. 2c
  a part of the government with a particular responsibility. The three branches of government are the legislative branch (=the parliament that makes laws), the executive branch (=the president or ministers who govern according to those laws), and the judicial branch (=the judges and courts who make certain that the laws are used correctly).
  Synonyms and related words
  Government departments and public bodies
  administration
  agency
  branch
3
a part of a particular area of study or knowledge
branch of:
Mechanics is a branch of physics.
the branch of medicine that treats ailments of the stomach
Synonyms and related words
General words for areas of study, interest or activity
area
field
discipline
4
a section of a family who are all related to one person who lived in the past
branch of:
One branch of Jane’s family lives in San Francisco.
Synonyms and related words
Ancestors
ancestor
ancestry
antecedents
5
a part of a river that leads away from the main part
branch of:
the larger branches of the Mekong River
Synonyms and related words
Parts of lakes, rivers and streams
backwater
bayou
bed

branch

noun countable

US /bræntʃ/

Word Forms

singular	branch
plural	branches

1
a part of a tree that grows out of its trunk (=main stem) with leaves, flowers, or fruit growing on it. A very small branch is called a twig
The wind rustled the bare branches of the trees.
Synonyms and related words
Parts of trees
bark
blossom
bole
2
a store or office representing a large company or organization in a particular area
The store has branches in over 50 cities.
a branch manager
Synonyms and related words
Departments in companies and organizations
acquisitions
arm
back office
1. 2a
  the members of an organization, club, or political party in a particular area
  the president of the local branch of the Teamsters
  the branch secretary/treasurer
  Synonyms and related words
  Group members and describing group members
  academician
  alumnus
  arriviste
2. 2b
  a department that performs a particular job or has a particular responsibility
  the anti-terrorism branch of the FBI
  Synonyms and related words
  Departments in companies and organizations
  acquisitions
  arm
  back office
3. 2c
  a part of the government with a particular responsibility. The three branches of government are the legislative branch (=the legislature that makes laws), the executive branch (=the president who governs according to those laws), and the judicial branch (=the judges and courts who make certain that the laws are used correctly).
  Synonyms and related words
  Government departments and public bodies
  administration
  agency
  branch
3
a part of a particular area of study or knowledge
branch of:
Mechanics is a branch of physics.
the branch of medicine that treats ailments of the stomach
Synonyms and related words
General words for areas of study, interest or activity
area
field
discipline
4
a section of a family who are all related to one person who lived in the past
branch of:
One branch of Jane’s family lives in San Francisco.
Synonyms and related words
Ancestors
ancestor
ancestry
antecedents
5
a part of a river that leads away from the main part
branch of:
the larger branches of the Mekong River
Synonyms and related words
Parts of lakes, rivers and streams
backwater
bayou
bed

branch

verb intransitive

UK /brɑːntʃ/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	branch
he/she/it	branches
present participle	branching
past tense	branched
past participle	branched

1
to divide into two or more parts
yellow flowers on branching stems
branch into:
The road branched into four paths.
Synonyms and related words
To separate an object or area into parts
take apart
take down
divide

phrasal verbs

branch off

branch out

branch

verb intransitive

US /bræntʃ/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	branch
he/she/it	branches
present participle	branching
past tense	branched
past participle	branched

1
to divide into two or more parts
yellow flowers on branching stems
branch into:
The road branched into four paths.
Synonyms and related words
To separate an object or area into parts
take apart
take down
divide

phrasal verbs

branch off

branch out

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branch

branch

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branch