offshoot

noun

off·​shoot ˈȯf-ˌshüt How to pronounce offshoot (audio)
Synonyms of offshootnext
1
a
: a collateral or derived branch, descendant, or member : outgrowth
b
: a lateral branch (as of a mountain range)
2
: a branch of a main stem especially of a plant

Examples of offshoot in a Sentence

The business started as an offshoot of an established fashion design company. we knew the rosebush had survived the harsh winter when it began producing offshoots and turning green again
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Funding for the initiative stems from a $20,000 reserve administered by the Reparations Stakeholder Authority of Evanston, an offshoot of the Evanston Community Foundation (ECF). Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026 In a statement, which did not name Heifler, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said an alleged member of an offshoot of the Jewish Defense League was arrested in connection with a threat to Kiswani. Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 29 Mar. 2026 His ethos is guided by the idea that physical appearance trumps all else, though its offshoots venture into sexist, misogynistic and racist philosophies. Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026 This week, the California Center for Jobs & the Economy, an offshoot of the California Business Roundtable, issued a report that mirrors and builds on what Petek said. Dan Walters, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for offshoot

Word History

First Known Use

1710, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of offshoot was in 1710

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Cite this Entry

“Offshoot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/offshoot. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

offshoot

noun
off·​shoot ˈȯf-ˌshüt How to pronounce offshoot (audio)
1
: something that branches out from something else
2
: a branch of a main stem of a plant

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