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"
a division of a stem, or secondary stem arising from the main stem of a plant
"The gardener carefully pruned off the dead branch that grew directly from the trunk of the old oak tree."
a stream or river connected to a larger one
"The small branch of the Mississippi River flows quietly through the marsh before merging into the main current."
The woody part of a tree arising from the trunk and usually dividing.
"The storm broke off a heavy branch that was dangling precariously over our driveway."
In plain English: A branch is a woody part of a tree that grows from the trunk and holds leaves, flowers, or fruit.
"The old oak tree has many thick branches stretching toward the sky."
Usage: Use "branch" to refer to an offshoot or subdivision of a larger organization, such as a bank branch or a branch of government. Avoid using it for any physical limb unless you are specifically describing a part of a tree or plant.
To arise from the trunk or a larger branch of a tree.
"The small bird chose to nest on a delicate twig that sprang directly from the main limb of the oak tree."
In plain English: To branch means to split into different directions or start doing something new instead of sticking with what you were already doing.
"The company plans to branch into new international markets next year."
Usage: Use "branch" as a verb to describe how smaller parts grow out from a main line, such as rivers splitting from a larger river or roads diverging from a highway. Do not use it to mean simply moving away or separating unless there is an implied connection to a central source.
A surname, from Old French.
"The new director of the family business was Mr. Branch, keeping his traditional surname as he took over the firm."
The word "branch" entered English via Old French and Middle English, originally referring to a footprint or paw before shifting to mean a limb of a tree. Despite its current meaning, the term likely stems from an ancient root related to claws rather than directly describing plant growth.