Branch of the year, maybe (3)
I believe the answer is:
arm
'branch' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'of the year maybe' is the wordplay.
'of' indicates a hidden word.
'ARM' is hidden within 'the year maybe'.
(Other definitions for arm that I've seen before include "Part of chair" , "Equip with weapons" , "Human limb" , "Limb or branch" , "Maybe rifle" .)