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  • spin-off
    spin-off
    noun
    a process of reorganizing a corporate structure whereby the capital stock of a division or subsidiary of a corporation or of a newly affiliated company is transferred to the stockholders of the parent corporation without an exchange of any part of the stock of the latter.
  • spin off
    spin off
    verb
    (tr, preposition) to turn (a part of a business enterprise) into a separate company
Synonyms

spin-off

American  
[spin-awf, -of] / ˈspɪnˌɔf, -ˌɒf /
Or spinoff

noun

spin-offs plural
  1. Commerce. a process of reorganizing a corporate structure whereby the capital stock of a division or subsidiary of a corporation or of a newly affiliated company is transferred to the stockholders of the parent corporation without an exchange of any part of the stock of the latter.

  2. any product that is an adaption, outgrowth, or development of another similar product.

    The paperback is a spin-off from the large hardcover encyclopedia.

    Synonyms:
    offshoot, issue, by-product
  3. a secondary or incidental product or effect derived from technological development in a somewhat unrelated area.

    Synonyms:
    offshoot, issue, by-product

spin off British  

verb

  1. (tr, preposition) to turn (a part of a business enterprise) into a separate company

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. any product or development derived incidentally from the application of existing knowledge or enterprise

  2. a book, film, or television series derived from a similar successful book, film, or television series

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
spin off Idioms  
  1. Derive or produce from something else, especially a small part from a larger whole. For example, The corporation decided to spin off the automobile parts division, or Her column was spun off from her book on this subject. The expression transfers the throwing off by centrifugal force, as in spinning, to other enterprises. [Mid-1900s]


Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of spin-off

First recorded in 1945–50; noun use of verb phrase spin off

Compare meaning

How does spin-off compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Xbox gaming division, including Montreal-based Compulsion Games and San Francisco-based Double Fine, are in spin-off talks.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 6, 2026

The project is considered a representative spin-off case in which defense research has been adapted for civilian use.

From Science Daily Jul. 2, 2026

Comcast said it expects the tax-free spin-off in approximately one year and that it will hold up to 19.9% of NBCUniversal at the outset.

From MarketWatch Jun. 29, 2026

The company expects earnings per share of $2.40 to $2.60, excluding spin-off costs, for the seven-month period.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 25, 2026

Lately, they've all been some weird spin-off about Frida.

From "Patina" by Jason Reynolds

The deal which excludes ITV Studios, the group's production arm, comes after Comcast last week said it would spin off its Sky media and NBCUniversal divisions into a separate company.

From Barron's Jul. 6, 2026

As if a historic Supreme Court case decision and a record-setting day weren’t enough to start the week, Comcast announced plans to spin off NBCUniversal and Sky from its mobile and broadband business this morning.

From Barron's Jun. 29, 2026

The news report also said that Volkswagen plans to spin off its core VW brand into different entities.

From MarketWatch Jun. 29, 2026

“That’s My Bush!” ran for eight episodes in the spring of 2001, with plans to spin off into a feature called “George W. Bush and the Secret of the Glass Tiger.”

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 29, 2026

One fission can quickly become hundreds as neutrons spin off from each split and hit more nuclei.

From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland

Like Neville, Lineker's network has developed spin-offs, but the Goalhanger brand extends well beyond sport.

From BBC Apr. 24, 2026

Stretching out a successful series typically leads to spin-offs — and yes, Mills says, those conversations are happening with “Mormon Wives” — at least at the time of the interview.

From Los Angeles Times Mar. 19, 2026

The upcoming slate is ambitious: a Mandalorian feature film, a new season of Ahsoka, a Darth Maul-centered animated series and several additional series and spin-offs are scheduled for release across Disney+ and theaters.

From Salon Jan. 18, 2026

Since its inception, “Call of Duty” has spawned dozens of sequels and spin-offs across various consoles and platforms, most recently “Call of Duty: Black Ops 7,” released in November.

From Los Angeles Times Dec. 22, 2025

By 1980, the Lisp Machine project had generated two commercial spin-offs.

From Free as in Freedom: Richard Stallman's Crusade for Free Software by Williams, Sam

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