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Definition branch in British English

branch noun

[countable] noun
/brɑːntʃ/
1

a part of a tree that grows out of its trunk (=main stem) with leaves, flowers, or fruit growing on it. A very small branch is called a twig

Example

The wind rustled the bare branches of the trees.

Example

There was a bird perched on the topmost branch.

Synonyms and related words
Example

The store has branches in over 50 cities.

Example

a branch manager

Synonyms and related words
2.1

the members of an organization, club, or political party in a particular area: can be followed by a singular or plural verb

Example

the president of the Glasgow branch of the AA

Example

the branch secretary/treasurer

Synonyms and related words
Example

the anti-terrorism branch of Scotland Yard

Synonyms and related words
2.3

a part of the government with a particular responsibility. The three branches of government are the legislative branch (=the parliament that makes laws), the executive branch (=the president or ministers who govern according to those laws), and the judicial branch (=the judges and courts who make certain that the laws are used correctly).

Synonyms and related words
3

a part of a particular area of study or knowledge

Example

Mechanics is a branch of physics.

Example

the branch of medicine that treats ailments of the stomach

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4

a section of a family who are all related to one person who lived in the past

Example

One branch of Jane's family lives in San Francisco.

Synonyms and related words
5

a part of a river that leads away from the main part

Example

the larger branches of the Mekong River

Synonyms and related words
Definition branch in British English