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spin-off

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

noun

  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]


Etymology

Origin of spin-off

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

Compare meaning

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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.

It was a huge success, spawning several subsequent sequels, as well as a Buzz Lightyear spin-off.

From BBC

MSG Sports took a step in that direction Wednesday by saying it External link would explore a plan to separate the two teams through a tax-free spin-off.

From Barron's

Another spin-off, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, adapted from a series of novellas written by Martin, launched last month.

From BBC

The most recent game in the franchise, a spin-off called Silent Hill f, sold a million copies the day it was released in September 2025.

From BBC

Clark is best known for her role in Amazon Prime's The Rings of Power, playing warrior Galadriel in the Lord of the Rings spin-off series - even sneaking a Welsh word into a scene.

From BBC