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
Located in Borden, Indiana, Starlight Distillery is an offshoot of a farm, orchard, and winery owned and operated by the Huber family.
—
David Thomas Tao, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
Originating in Egypt in the 11th century, the group practices an offshoot of Islam which permits no converts – either to or from the religion – and no intermarriage.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 16 July 2025
Israel has threatened to increase its involvement in Syria and vowed to protect the Druze religious minority, which began as a 10th-century offshoot of Ismailism, a branch of Shiite Islam, the Associated Press reported.
—Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 16 July 2025
The bulbs develop offshoots, which may be dug up and divided after the blooms have finished and the leaves have died back in midsummer.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for offshoot
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David Thomas Tao, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
Originating in Egypt in the 11th century, the group practices an offshoot of Islam which permits no converts – either to or from the religion – and no intermarriage.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 16 July 2025
Israel has threatened to increase its involvement in Syria and vowed to protect the Druze religious minority, which began as a 10th-century offshoot of Ismailism, a branch of Shiite Islam, the Associated Press reported.
—Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 16 July 2025
The bulbs develop offshoots, which may be dug up and divided after the blooms have finished and the leaves have died back in midsummer.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for offshoot
Cite this Entry
“Offshoot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/offshoot. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
offshoot
noun
off·shoot
ˈȯf-ˌshüt 
1
: something that branches out from something else
2
: a branch of a main stem of a plant
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