branches
/ˈbrɑːntʃ.ɪz/ (bre, ipa) · [brˈæntʃəz] /ˈbræn.tʃɪz/ (ame, ipa) · [brˈæntʃəz] /ˈbranch/ (ame, mw)
branches — noun
1. one of the arm-like parts of a tree that grows out from the trunk and holds leav
one of the arm-like parts of a tree that grows out from the trunk and holds leaves, flowers, or fruit
Tomás climbed onto a thick branch to reach the ripest mango.
The storm tore several large branches from the old oak tree behind the school.
tore + branches + from + noun
A pair of sparrows built a nest in the highest branch of the maple tree.
Lauren carefully cut the dead branch off the cherry tree near the garden gate.
- trunk
the main central stem of a tree, from which branches grow out
文法句型
[countable] branch of + noun
用法筆記
The most common and earliest-learned sense. Often used with prepositions like 'on', 'from', and 'off' to describe position or removal.
常見錯誤
2. a local office or division of a large organisation such as a bank, library, shop
a local office or division of a large organisation such as a bank, library, shop, or company that operates in a different location from the main office
Nkechi opened a savings account at the bank branch near the train station.
The city library has branches in every neighbourhood across town.
has + branches + in + location
The company plans to open three new branches in Asia by next year.
Yuki visited the local post office branch to collect her package.
- office
broader term; can refer to any workplace, not necessarily part of a larger organisation
- division
refers more to a department or segment within an organisation than a physical location
- subsidiary
a separate company that is owned or controlled by a larger company; more formal
- headquarters
the main office where the central management of an organisation is located
文法句型
[countable] branch of + noun
用法筆記
Subject is often a company, library, bank, or government agency. Frequently paired with 'local' or 'main' to distinguish the branch from the headquarters.
常見錯誤
3. a narrower river that runs into a larger river and is often described as a tribu
a narrower river that runs into a larger river and is often described as a tributary
The Amazon River has hundreds of branches that carry water from the rainforest.
branch + carry + water
Faisal followed a narrow branch of the river until it opened into a wide lake.
The main river splits into three smaller branches near the delta.
Many fish swim up the river branches to lay their eggs in shallow water.
- main river
the primary watercourse that branches flow into
文法句型
[countable] branch of + noun
4. a route, path, or line that diverges from a main system, such as a road, railway
a route, path, or line that diverges from a main system, such as a road, railway, pipe, or cable going in another direction
A small branch of the railway line runs from the city to the port.
branch + of + railway line
The water pipe under the kitchen sink has a branch that carries cold water to the vegetable garden.
Workers are building a new branch road to connect the highway with the airport.
The gas company laid a branch pipeline under First Avenue to reach the new housing estate.
- main line
the primary route or conduit from which branches extend
文法句型
[countable] branch of + noun
5. a thin, arm-like or point-like physical part that sticks out from a larger objec
a thin, arm-like or point-like physical part that sticks out from a larger object, like the pointed tips of an antler or the arms of a chandelier
Each branch of the deer's antlers splits into several smaller points.
branch of + antlers
The old chandelier had curved metal branches that held glass candle holders.
The coral reef is made up of many tiny branches shaped like fingers.
A lightning bolt can split into several branches as it strikes the ground.
文法句型
[countable] branch of + noun
6. one of the groups of nerve fibres that branch away from a main nerve and connect
one of the groups of nerve fibres that branch away from a main nerve and connect to specific muscles, organs, or areas of the body
The facial nerve has several branches that control the muscles around the mouth and eyes.
branch + of + nerve; control + noun
Damage to the nerve branches in a hand can make moving the fingers difficult.
The surgeon carefully avoided cutting the tiny branches of the optic nerve.
Each spinal nerve branch carries signals between the brain and a specific body part.
- ramification
more technical/formal; used mainly in medical or botanical writing
文法句型
[countable] branch + of + noun
常見錯誤
branches — verb
- branchespresent simple I / you / we / they
- brancheses3rd person singular
- branchessing-ing form
- branchessedpast simple
1. to grow new branches from a plant's main stem or from an existing branch
to grow new branches from a plant's main stem or from an existing branch
The young apple tree in Grandma's backyard began to branch in its second year after planting.
Pruning the top of the rose bush helps it branch more fully and grow into a denser shape.
helps + it + branch
The 'New Dawn' rose branches freely and produces pink flowers from June to September.
After the heavy rain, the tomato plants branched out in every direction.
- ramify
formal/technical; used mainly in scientific writing about plants or networks
- prune
to cut off branches, the opposite of sending out new branches
文法句型
branch + adverb/preposition
用法筆記
Often used in gardening and botanical contexts. The phrasal verb 'branch out' is more common than the base verb in everyday speech.
2. to separate or spread out into multiple distinct parts that go in different dire
to separate or spread out into multiple distinct parts that go in different directions
The main road branches into two smaller lanes just past the bridge.
branch + into + noun
The Mekong River branches several times before it reaches the South China Sea.
branch + several times
Dahlia stopped where the footpath branched left towards the old mill.
The Chen family tree branches into different lines living in Taiwan, Canada, and Brazil.
- converge
to come together at a common point, the opposite of branching apart
文法句型
branch + adverb/preposition
branch into + noun
用法筆記
Subject is typically a road, path, river, or other linear feature. Use 'branch off' when describing something that leaves a main route to go in a new direction.