offshoot

noun

off·​shoot ˈȯf-ˌshüt How to pronounce offshoot (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
All three of the previous orders are offshoots of current or recently ended CBS shows — Fire Country, Blue Bloods and FBI, respectively. Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2025 Then, the first offshoot arrived with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the new administration’s Health and Human Services secretary, with MAHA — Make America Healthy Again. Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 16 Apr. 2025 The ship also boasts the only Eataly location at sea, and the new restaurant Paxos, which offers shareable Greek dishes and live tableside music with an accompanying fast casual offshoot, Paxos on the Go. Nathan Diller, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025 Blanca was born in 2012 as the fine-dining offshoot of the influential and popular Roberta’s in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 7 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for offshoot

Word History

First Known Use

1710, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of offshoot was in 1710

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Cite this Entry

“Offshoot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/offshoot. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

offshoot

noun
off·​shoot ˈȯf-ˌshüt How to pronounce offshoot (audio)
1
: something that branches out from something else
2
: a branch of a main stem of a plant

More from Merriam-Webster on offshoot

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