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# branch

«branch» in Mova's school dictionary: **a part of a tree that grows out from the trunk and has…** — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples, with 5 sentences of Mova's corpora that use it.

### part of speech

noun (a branch, branches); verb (branch, branches, branched, branching)

### meaning for a pupil

1) A branch is a part of a tree that grows out from the trunk and has smaller twigs and leaves. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/branch/#m1)

2) A branch is one of the shops, offices or libraries that belong to the same company or group: a branch of a bank. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/branch/#m2)

3) A branch is a part of something bigger that splits off: a branch of a river, a branch of science. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/branch/#m3)

4) To branch (out) means to split into parts, or to start doing new things. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/branch/#m4)

### sense in the lessons

In science trees are made of roots, a trunk, branches and leaves; branches hold leaves up to the sunlight. In maths a tree diagram has branches that show choices. In safety lessons: don't climb on thin or dead branches, which can break, and watch for falling branches in strong winds. In family history, a family tree has branches for each side of the family. Phrases: branch out, branch off, olive branch (a sign of peace), local branch.

### examples

- The bird sat on a branch of the oak tree. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/branch/#x1)
- Don't climb on that thin branch; it might break. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/branch/#x2)
- Strong winds blew a big branch onto the road. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/branch/#x3)
- Our bank has a branch in the high street. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/branch/#x4)
- Biology is a branch of science. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/branch/#x5)
- The path branches into two near the river. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/branch/#x6)
- Mum's side is one branch of our family tree. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/branch/#x7)
- The library has a new branch near our school. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/branch/#x8)
- ‘Oh, just a little branch sticking out. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/branch/#x9)

### note

Plural: branches (add -es). A twig is a small, thin branch. «Branch off» means split away: «a small road branches off the main road». In a maths tree diagram, each branch shows one possible choice or result.

### In the corpora

- [The didgeridoo comes from Aboriginal Australians of northern Australia, traditionally made from a branch hollowed by termites; skilled players use circular breathing.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/arts/10-instruments-of-the-world-bandura-erhu-sitar-kora-didgeridoo/10/)
- [Elephants sometimes use tools, such as a stick to scratch an itch or a leafy branch to swat flies.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/biology/21-elephants-the-trunk/16/)
- [When a perching bird bends its legs, tendons pull its toes tight round the branch, so it can sleep without falling off.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/biology/33-birds-feathers-wings-eggs-and-flight/15/)
- [Gorillas and other great apes build a new nest of leaves and branches every night, or of straw in a zoo.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/biology/84-ape-house-gorillas-and-chimpanzees/14/)
- [New climbing frames, ropes, branches and hiding places are enrichment too, because new paths keep animals active and curious.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/biology/112-training-and-enrichment/10/)

### Trees and pragmatics

[Every meaning and example of «branch» parsed by Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/branch/), each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.