bifurcation
noun
bi·fur·ca·tion
ˌbī-(ˌ)fər-ˈkā-shən 
1
a
: the point or area at which something divides into two branches or parts : the point at which bifurcating occurs
Inflammation may occlude the bifurcation of the trachea.
b
: branch
2
: the state of being divided into two branches or parts : the act of bifurcating
Examples of bifurcation in a Sentence
a thoughtful book about the nation's bifurcation into two distinct and antagonistic cultures
a divisive issue that caused the bifurcation of the political party
Recent Examples on the Web
This bifurcation makes Ballerina a wildly uneven viewing experience, but that second hour is so thrilling that the first doesn’t really matter.
—
Alison Willmore, Vulture, 4 June 2025
This bifurcation mirrors broader economic trends, but its impact on Hollywood’s creative ecosystem could be devastating.
—Jd Barker, Rolling Stone, 20 May 2025
Partial bifurcation of the system has already occurred, and there will be further bifurcation, particularly in those areas of technology that have major security implications, such as semiconductors.
—Bilahari Kausikan, Foreign Affairs, 11 Apr. 2023
The dynamics derive from principles of symmetry, consensus, and bifurcation in networked systems, exploiting instability as a means to flexibly transition from one stable solution to another.
—Evan Ackerman, IEEE Spectrum, 9 Mar. 2018
See All Example Sentences for bifurcation
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Alison Willmore, Vulture, 4 June 2025
This bifurcation mirrors broader economic trends, but its impact on Hollywood’s creative ecosystem could be devastating.
—Jd Barker, Rolling Stone, 20 May 2025
Partial bifurcation of the system has already occurred, and there will be further bifurcation, particularly in those areas of technology that have major security implications, such as semiconductors.
—Bilahari Kausikan, Foreign Affairs, 11 Apr. 2023
The dynamics derive from principles of symmetry, consensus, and bifurcation in networked systems, exploiting instability as a means to flexibly transition from one stable solution to another.
—Evan Ackerman, IEEE Spectrum, 9 Mar. 2018
See All Example Sentences for bifurcation
Cite this Entry
“Bifurcation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bifurcation. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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