offshoot
Americannoun
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a branch or lateral shoot from a main stem, as of a plant.
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anything conceived of as springing or proceeding from a main stock.
an offshoot of a discussion.
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a branch, descendant, or scion of a specific population or family.
noun
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a shoot or branch growing from the main stem of a plant
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something that develops or derives from a principal source or origin
Etymology
Origin of offshoot
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
State Farm General, an offshoot of national insurance giant State Farm Mutual, contends it has been financially sinking as seasonal wildfires morph into catastrophic urban conflagrations that destroy towns.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 7, 2026
The team believes this was an early offshoot of what is now the Azores mantle plume.
From Science Daily • Feb. 23, 2026
Nearly all those reported missing are members of the Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shia Islam that makes up about 10% of Syria's population and to which the ousted president belongs.
From BBC • Feb. 17, 2026
Adam Presser will lead the U.S. offshoot as CEO.
From Salon • Jan. 23, 2026
I trample over a wooden bridge that crosses a small garden river, an offshoot of the Golden Palace River that runs the perimeter of the palace grounds.
From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.