Bifurcation

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ËŒbaɪfəˈkeɪʃən/
• US enPR: bÄ«'fÉ™r-kāʹshÉ™n, IPA: /ËŒbaɪfɚˈkeɪʃən/
• Rhymes: -eɪʃən

Origin

From bifurcate + -ion.

Full definition of bifurcation

Noun

1. (biology) A division into two branches.
2. (by extension) Any place where one thing divides into two.
3. The act of bifurcating; branching or dividing in two.
4. Either of the forks or other branches resultant from such a division.
5. (geography) A place where two roads, tributaries etc. part or meet.
6. (nautical) The point where a channel divides when proceeding from seaward.
7. (mathematics) The change in the qualitative or topological structure of a given family as decribed by bifurcation theory.
8. (computer science) A command that executes one block or other of commands depending on the result of a condition.

Synonyms

• (division into two branches) branched, branching, forked, forking

Related terms

• bifurcate
• trifurcation
• quadfurcation

Derived terms

• bifurcation theory