/ brɑːntʃ; NAmE bræntʃ/ 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
—picture at tree
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
SYN department :
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.
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IDIOMS
see root noun
■ verb
[ v ] to divide into two or more parts, especially smaller or less important parts :
The accident happened where the road branches.
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- branch off
- branch out (into sth)
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French branche , from late Latin branca paw.