Plumbers use _____ or wyes to branch a new pipeline in a different direction.

The correct choice is tees, as they are specifically designed to create a branching point in a pipeline, allowing for new lines to be connected in different directions. When a plumber needs to divert water flow into another pipeline at an angle, a tee fitting provides a junction that facilitates this redirection effectively.

Tee fittings are shaped like the letter "T," which visually represents their function. They are often used in plumbing systems to split a single line into two connecting lines. This is essential in applications where multiple fixtures need to be supplied from the same pipeline, such as in residential plumbing systems where a single water line supplies several sinks or toilets.

In contrast, sockets are typically used for joining two pipes end-to-end, couplings serve a similar purpose, and fittings is a broad term that encompasses a variety of connectors used in plumbing but doesn't specify the branching function of tees. Thus, for the specific need to branch a pipeline in a different direction, tees are the appropriate choice.