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

Leaders of the University of California, the nation’s top higher education recipient of federal research funding, are raising questions and voicing concerns about the ramifications of a temporary Trump administration pause on research grant reviews announced this week. —Teresa Watanabe, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2025

After grappling with the ramifications behind her hot flashes, night sweats and decreased libido, the soon-to-be-chef sees menopause not as an end, but as a time for a second act—and thereby goes on to revolutionize home cooking. —Jennifer Vineyard, Flow Space, 24 Jan. 2025

Fogelman is clearly—sometimes too clearly—thinking about the acceleration of climate change, the ramifications of politicians putting themselves before their constituents, and the outsize influence of billionaires on our leaders. —Judy Berman, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025

Given the ramifications of acquiring Pettersson’s $11.6 million cap hit, Carolina would need to send out some salary to stay under the cap since Necas costs $6.5 million. —Cory Lavalette, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025

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