1. A division of a stem, or secondary stem arising from the main stem of a plant
   "The cherry tree's branches were covered in delicate blossoms"
    
2. A division of some larger or more complex organization
   "a branch of Congress"; "botany is a branch of biology"; "the Germanic branch of Indo-European languages";
   - subdivision, arm
    
3. A part of a forked or branching shape
   "he broke off one of the branches";
   - leg, ramification
    
4. A stream or river connected to a larger one
   "The kayakers explored a small branch of the main river"; "The branch joined the larger river after winding through the valley"
    
5. Any projection that is thought to resemble a human arm
   "a branch of the sewer";
   - arm, limb
    
6. A natural consequence of development
   "The new social media platform was a branch of the original website";
   - outgrowth, offshoot, offset

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

Derived forms: branched, branches, branching

See also: diversify

Type of: consequence, diverge, division, effect, event, grow, issue, outcome, projection, result, stalk, stem, stream, subfigure, upshot, watercourse

Part of: forking, furcation

Encyclopedia: Branch, Mike