bough

noun

ˈbau̇ 

: a branch of a tree

especially : a main branch

boughed

ˈbau̇d 

adjective

Synonyms

• branch
• limb

Examples of bough in a Sentence

a tree bough fell on my car during the windstorm

Recent Examples on the Web

Finally, the adult male made his way down to the elbow of a descending bough to survey us. —Jessica Camille Aguirre, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Jan. 2025

Hollywood's biggest names decked the halls with boughs of holly and enjoyed the Christmas holiday on Wednesday. —Caroline Thayer, Fox News, 26 Dec. 2024

If the fates allow / Hang a shining star upon the highest bough / And have yourself a merry little Christmas now. —Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 23 Dec. 2024

Take a stroll through Condé Nast’s halls, where staffers draw inspiration from the spring/summer 2025 collections and replace boughs of holly with knickknacks and doodads dangling from their everyday bags. —Ciarra Lorren Zatorski, Vogue, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, shoulder, bough, from Old English bōg; akin to Old High German buog shoulder, Greek pēchys forearm

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

bough

noun

ˈbau̇ 

: a branch of a tree

especially : a main branch

boughed

ˈbau̇d 

adjective