<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>a division or subdivision of the stem or axis of a tree, shrub, or other plant.</li><li>a limb, offshoot, or ramification of any main stem: the branches of a deer's antlers.</li><li>any member or part of a body or system; a section or subdivision: the various branches of learning.</li><li>a local operating division of a business, library, or the like.</li><li>a line of family descent stemming from a particular ancestor, as distinguished from some other line or lines from the same stock; a division of a family.</li><li>a tributary stream or any stream that is not a large river or a bayou.</li><li>Chiefly South Midland and Southern U.S. branch water (def 2).</li><li>Linguistics. (in the classification of related languages within a family) a category of a lower order than a subfamily and of a higher order than a subbranch or a group, as the Germanic branch of Indo-European.</li><li>Compare group (def 4a).</li><li>Computers. a point in a computer program where the computer selects one of two or more instructions to execute, according to some criterion.</li><li>Nautical. a warrant or license permitting a pilot to navigate in certain waters.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb</strong></p><ul><li>(used without object) to put forth branches; spread in branches.</li><li>to divide into separate parts or subdivisions; diverge: The main road branches off to the left.</li><li>Synonyms: subdivide, ramify.</li><li>to expand or extend, as business activities: The bank has plans to branch throughout the state.</li><li>(used with object) to divide into branches or sections.</li><li>to adorn with needlework; decorate with embroidery, as in textile fabrics.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb Phrase</strong></p><ul><li>to expand or extend, as business activities, pursuits, interests, etc.: The business is branching out into computers.</li></ul>