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

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spin off British  

verb

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

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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

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]

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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:

• spin-off vs. split-off

Example Sentences

He has also appeared on Channel 4's Gogglebox and in 2023 he stepped down after four years of presenting Strictly Come Dancing spin-off It Takes Two.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

Coty has also announced a strategic review of portions of its consumer business, signaling a possible spin-off or sale.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

Pixarians, frustrated that their streaming releases didn’t resonate more, grew panicked after the flop of their first film back in theaters, 2022’s “Toy Story” spin-off “Lightyear.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 7, 2026

MS NOW did have to fill a major hole when political data guru Steve Kornacki chose to stick with NBC after the spin-off.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2026

“The buzz is—Leo Espinosa is going to create a new Dog Squad spin-off called CanineCommandos'. Dozer and Petunia? You two will be the stars! You’re going to have your own show! On Apple TV!”

From "Dog Squad" by Chris Grabenstein