ramification

noun

ram·​i·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌra-mə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

1

a

: branch, offshoot

b

: a branched structure

2

a

: the act or process of branching

b

: arrangement of branches (as on a plant)

3

: consequence, outgrowth

the ramifications of the decision

Examples of ramification in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The future of the midterm essay may be a quaint worry compared with larger questions about the ramifications of artificial intelligence, such as its effect on the environment, or the automation of jobs. —Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 30 June 2025

As Riri helps out with Parker’s mysterious quest, she’s forced to repeatedly reckon with the ramifications of her own brilliance. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 24 June 2025

The draft is widely anticipated to be the epicenter of transaction season for many teams around the league this year, with some front offices desperate to avoid the competitive ramifications of the luxury tax aprons, and others eager to tinker with their depth charts. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 24 June 2025

There are other ramifications — too many to detail here, in fact. —Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 21 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Rhymes for ramification

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

ramification

noun

ram·​i·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌram-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the act or process of branching

2

: outgrowth sense 1

the ramifications of the decision

Medical Definition

ramification

noun

ram·​i·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌram-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the act or process of branching

specifically : the mode of arrangement of branches

2

: a branch or offshoot from a main stock or channel

the ramification of an artery

also : the resulting branched structure

make visible the whole ramification of the dendrite