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branch

branch

431 1.3
A division of a larger organization, like a local office
  • noun
  • /bræntʃ/
translation icon : sucursal (empresa)
  • Look on the Internet to find nearby branches of large organizations, such as the National Audubon Society.
  • executive branch
  • legislative branch
  • judicial branch

No, Disney is a branch, just like they have Marvel.

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Examples

  • We're finding the nearest branch of a chain of restaurants.

  • She stayed within the NAACP, actually working with the New York branch of the NAACP.

  • Well, this is the branch that you started with.

  • And I find it used in all branches of physical science.

  • Okay, what are the, uh, three branches of government?

  • Design and Technology is a branch of courses that is open to all grade levels.

    Academic text (2008)
  • A new branch of the KGB.

  • Such actors operate through all three branches of government, and each level is politicized.

    Academic text (2012)
  • His preaching really sparked the New England branch of the Great Awakening.

  • We need to discuss the different branches of our organization to ensure effective communication.

Synonyms

division
vsbranch
358 3.2

A part of a larger organization that has its own work

is used here as the general nontechnical name for that organizational part
arm
vsbranch
325 3.6

A part of an organization that does a particular job

is a neutral structural part rather than a unit defined only by function
offshoot
vsbranch
21 5.1

A new group or idea that develops from an earlier one

is a planned or named section rather than a later development or byproduct
outgrowth
vsbranch
9 6.1

A result that comes from something earlier, like a new idea

refers to an established part instead of a result that grows out of something
subdivision
vsbranch
2 4.1

A smaller part of something that has been split, like a chapter or section

is the broader term that covers both main sections and smaller parts

Idioms

2 4.2

Offer to make peace after an argument

Compounds

The part of a government that carries out laws, led by a president or prime minister

14 3.6

The part of government that makes laws

13 1.0

A part of a tree that grows from the trunk and holds leaves or fruit

olive branch
  • Informal
12 3.7

A gesture showing a wish to make peace after a disagreement

7 4.2

The part of government that says what laws mean and decides legal cases

4 6.6

A part of the police that deals with the country's safety and political crimes like terrorism or spying

1 3.9

A railway line that leaves a main line to serve a small area

1 8.9

Water from a small stream that people add to make strong drinks weaker

A thin branch that looks like spider legs

How Big

division
358 3.2
branch
431 1.3
department
1.8
section
1.0
team
1.0
unit
2.8

Surface Forms

branch singular
branches plural

Etymology

Branch comes from old French branche, which meant 'arm', so a branch of an organization is like an arm that reaches out from the main group and does part of the work.