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

Still, there will be significant domestic ramifications from the far right’s gains in the biggest EU countries. —Lenora Chu, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 June 2024

The incidents in California and New Jersey are two of many involving teens, technology and unforeseen legal ramifications. —Riana Pfefferkorn, Scientific American, 10 June 2024

But just under the surface, trouble—and serious legal ramifications—loom. —Rachel Ventresca, Fortune, 7 June 2024

Israel underestimated the strategic ramifications of tunnel warfare—a low-tech threat—when used on a grand scale and overestimated the ability of technology to counter it. —Daphné Richemond-Barak, Foreign Affairs, 6 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

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