offshoot

noun

off·​shoot ˈȯf-ˌshüt 

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

Synonyms

• outgrowth
• shoot
• sprout

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

The Center for Jobs and the Economy, an offshoot of the California Business Roundtable, reports that California’s average gasoline price is the nation’s highest at $4.46 a gallon, which is about 75 cents higher than neighboring Nevada and more than twice Oklahoma’s $2.55. —Dan Walters, Orange County Register, 8 Jan. 2025

And some cases are still being investigated, including an offshoot of the Libya case. —Aurelien Breeden, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025

That’s an offshoot of Trump’s larger proposal for mass deportations. —Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Jan. 2025

Other new shows coming in 2025 include an offshoot of the Scamanda podcast for primetime and a Jon Hamm drama on AppleTV+ called Your Friends & Neighbors. —Toni Fitzgerald, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1710, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids 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