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

These are just a few of the questions that surface at what can be an overwhelming time of making big decisions with significant financial ramifications. —Brennan Barnard, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025

While those defeats against Newcastle United and Paris Saint-Germain both smarted, their financial ramifications differ wildly. —Chris Weatherspoon, The Athletic, 20 Mar. 2025

Collectively, these reforms may have significant and costly ramifications for many Americans who have student loan debt. —Adam S. Minsky, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025

But the chaos has already impacted the VA's dual research appointments, a key system for medical research, sparking fear among scientists of serious ramifications down the line – and not just for veterans. —Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 16 Mar. 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