spin-off

Or spin·off

[spin-awf, -of]

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

verb

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of spin off¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

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]

Example Sentences

Drag Race remains popular, but fans have complained that various spin-offs, including versions in Europe, Canada and Australia, have over-saturated the brand.

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The British actress has appeared in two Godzilla films and a Sherlock Holmes spin-off, based on the detective's teenager sister, Enola.

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Friends fans in the US can finally watch the last eight episodes of the hit sitcom's ill-fated spin-off show Joey, starring Matt LeBlanc as the hapless but loveable Joey Tribbiani.

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“As we considered various alternatives to separate Topgolf, including a potential spin-off transaction, we received interest from a number of parties,” said Chief Executive Chip Brewer.

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Celebrity Traitors, aired on the BBC, is a spin-off of the TV show Traitors UK, which sees some of contestants assigned as "traitors", while the remaining "faithful" contestants must attempt to root them out.

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