bough

[ bou ]

noun

1. a branch of a tree, especially one of the larger or main branches.

bough

/ baʊ /

noun

1. any of the main branches of a tree

Other Words From

• boughless adjective
• under·bough noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bough¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English bogh, Old English bōg, bōh “shoulder, bough”; cognate with Old Norse bōgr, Dutch boeg, German Bug; akin to Greek pêchys, Sanskrit bāhu

Word History and Origins

Origin of bough¹

Old English bōg arm, twig; related to Old Norse bōgr shoulder, ship's bow, Old High German buog shoulder, Greek pēkhus forearm, Sanskrit bāhu ; see bow ³, elbow

Synonym Study

See branch.

Example Sentences

It was asleep, but its erect posture, like that of a sentinel of hell, its eyes, which even shut seemed to stare, the tight grasp of its talons on the bough, and the bloody sunset in the sky behind it, filled poor Abel with wintry dread.

From Literature

One of them, photographer Tim Laman, had tied a line to an arrow and shot it over a high bough.

From National Geographic

Sometimes seven-year-old Bayas would stand on a slender bough and lean out until it bent under his bulk, then ride it to a neighboring trunk.

From National Geographic

The inquiry is perhaps the most substantial regulatory consequence to date of X, which has scaled back its content moderation policies since Mr. Musk bough the service, once known as Twitter, last year.

From New York Times

James Bernard Hendricks, 66 of Austin, was hiking in the park and likely became disoriented from a combination of heat, dehydration and high altitude, according to sister Ruth Hendricks Bough.

From Washington Times

Related Words

• sprig