EnglishMain Dictionary
branch
Universal Words
noun, verb
noun
of tree
1 a part of a tree that grows out from the main stem and on which leaves, flowers and fruit grow:
She climbed the tree and hid in the branches.
of company
2 a local office or shop/store belonging to a large company or organization:
The bank has branches all over the country. * Our New York branch is dealing with the matter.
of government
3 a part of a government or other large organization that deals with one particular aspect of its work
SYNDEPARTMENT:
the anti-terrorist branch
of knowledge
4 a division of an area of knowledge or a group of languages:
the branch of computer science known as 'artificial intelligence'
of river / road
5 a smaller or less important part of a river, road, railway/railroad, etc. that leads away from the main part:
a branch of the Rhine * a branch line (= a small line off a main railway line, often in country areas)
of family
6 a group of members of a family who all have the same ancestors:
My uncle's branch of the family emigrated to Canada.
IDIOMS see ROOTn.
verb [V] to divide into two or more parts, especially smaller or less important parts:
The accident happened where the road branches.
PHRASALVERBS
branch off
1 (of a road or river) to be joined to another road or river but lead in a different direction:
Just after the lake, the path branches off to the right.
2 (of a person) to leave a road or path and travel in a different direction
branch out (into sth) to start to do an activity that you have not done before, especially in your work or business:
The company has now branched out into selling insurance. * I decided to branch out on my own.
