bifurcation

/ˈbaɪfərˌkeɪʃən/

Other forms: bifurcations

Bifurcation is a process in which something splits in two.

Bifurcation is a word that sounds fancy but has a very simple meaning: splitting or cutting in two. If a stream divides into two smaller streams, that's a bifurcation. If you split a company into two divisions, that's a bifurcation too. This word can also refer to the exact spot where one thing splits into two. Since bi means two in many words, such as bimonthly, that's a good reminder of what bifurcation means.

Definitions of bifurcation

1. noun

   the act of splitting into two branches
   type of:

   branching, fork, forking, ramification

   the act of branching out or dividing into branches
2. noun

   the place where something divides into two branches
   type of:

   forking, furcation

   the place where something divides into branches
3. noun

   a bifurcating branch (one or both of them)
   type of:

   branch, leg, ramification

   a part of a forked or branching shape