branch off

phrasal verb

branched off; branching off; branches off

: to separate from something and move in a different direction

The stream branched off to the left.

—often + from

Streets branch off from both sides of the highway.

Examples of branch off in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Ideal positioning of the IABP balloon is below the subclavian artery that branches off the aorta in the chest, but above the renal arteries that branch off the aorta in the abdomen. —

Christopher Lee, Verywell Health, 30 Oct. 2024 There are lots of other things in between them — things that branched off the lineage leading to plants and things that branched off the lineage leading to animals — that are mostly unicellular organisms. —

Janna Levin, Quanta Magazine, 24 Oct. 2024 Ctenophores are thought to be the first lineage that branched off from the common ancestor of all other animals. —

Alexa Robles-Gil, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Oct. 2024 Sasha finished five side-by-side squares before branching off them to other areas to reduce the time spent waiting for the paint to dry. —

Jody Garlock, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for branch off