branch1/bræntʃ; brɑːntʃ/n [C] 1 a part of a tree that grows out from the TRUNK (=the main part) 树枝see picture at见 PLANT1 图2 a local business, shop etc that is part of a larger business etc 分支机构﹔分部﹔分店﹔分行: The shop has opened branches all over the country. 这家商店在全国各地都开了分店。3 one part of a large subject of study or knowledge〔学科的〕分科﹐分支: a branch of medicine/physics/philosophy etc 医学/物理学/哲学等的分科
branch2 also 又作 branch offv [I] to divide into two or more smaller, narrower, or less important parts 分支﹐分岔: When you reach Bread Street, the road branches into two. 到了布莱德街﹐这条路就分成了两条。branch out phr v to start doing something different from the work or activities that you normally do 扩大活动范围: +into The bank has begun to branch out into selling insurance. 这家银行已开始拓展保险销售业务。