branch branch /ˈbræntʃ/

noun

1. () A division of some larger or more complex organization  ( arm , subdivision , branch )
   a division of some larger or more complex organization
    A branch of Congress
   a branch of Congress
    Botany is a branch of biology
   botany is a branch of biology
    The Germanic branch of Indo-European languages
   the Germanic branch of Indo-European languages
   
2. () A division of a stem, or secondary stem arising from the main stem of a plant  ( branch )
   a division of a stem, or secondary stem arising from the main stem of a plant
    The weight of the snow caused the branch to break off from the tree
   The weight of the snow caused the branch to break off from the tree
   
   
3. () A part of a forked or branching shape  ( ramification , leg , branch )
   a part of a forked or branching shape
    He broke off one of the branches
   he broke off one of the branches
   
4. Any projection that is thought to resemble a human arm  ( branch , limb , arm )
   any projection that is thought to resemble a human arm
    The arm of the record player
   the arm of the record player
    An arm of the sea
   an arm of the sea
    A branch of the sewer
   a branch of the sewer
   
5. A stream or river connected to a larger one  ( branch )
   a stream or river connected to a larger one
   
6. A natural consequence of development  ( branch , offset , offshoot , outgrowth )
   a natural consequence of development
   

verb

1. Divide into two or more branches so as to form a fork  ( branch , fork , furcate , ramify , separate )
   divide into two or more branches so as to form a fork
    The road forks
   The road forks
   
2. Grow and send out branches or branch-like structures  ( branch , ramify )
   grow and send out branches or branch-like structures
    These plants ramify early and get to be very large
   these plants ramify early and get to be very large