ramification

noun

ram·​i·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌra-mə-fə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce ramification (audio)
1
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 Dartmouth University basketball players voted on Tuesday to unionize, a historic step toward forming the first union in college sports that could have broad ramifications for other amateur athletes. Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2024 That could have major financial ramifications for a handful of players across the league. Bryan Toporek, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Biden called the leaders to the White House in hopes of making progress against a legislative logjam on Capitol Hill that has major ramifications not just for the United States but for the world as Ukraine struggles to repel Russia's invasion with weapons and ammunition starting to run short. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 28 Feb. 2024 Clearly, this could have huge ramifications for the stock market, riding at all-time highs after blowout appreciation, especially for the nearly $2 trillion Nvidia. Dylan Sloan, Fortune, 27 Feb. 2024 The verdict will likely have significant ramifications for Pennsylvania nonprofits and those in other states. Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024 For the moment, the legal ramifications for IVF only affect Alabama. Maria Godoy, NPR, 23 Feb. 2024 Those developments have already had some ramifications for Musk’s claim as the world’s wealthiest. Bruce Gil, Quartz, 12 Feb. 2024 The potential ramifications extend far beyond the country’s borders. Sui-Lee Wee, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ramification.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of ramification was in 1578

Dictionary Entries Near ramification

Cite this Entry

“Ramification.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ramification. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ramification

noun
ram·​i·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌram-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce ramification (audio)
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 How to pronounce ramification (audio)
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
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