spin-off

1 of 2

noun

ˈspin-ˌȯf 

1

: the distribution by a business to its stockholders of particular assets and especially of stock of another company

also : the new company created by such a distribution

2

: a collateral or derived product or effect : by-product

also : a number of such products

the spin-off from the space program

3

: something that is imitative or derivative of an earlier work, product, or establishment

especially : a television show starring a character popular in a secondary role of an earlier show

spin off

2 of 2

verb

spun off; spinning off; spins off

transitive verb

: to establish or produce as a spin-off

the company spun off its computer division

spin off a new TV series

intransitive verb

: to establish or become a spin-off

Synonyms

Noun

• by-product
• derivate
• derivation
• derivative
• offshoot
• outgrowth

Examples of spin-off in a Sentence

Noun

a spin-off of the popular television series

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

After going head-to-head the first time around, House of the Dragon Season 2, a Game of Thrones prequel, will be sharing the summer again with the second outing of Rings of Power, Amazon’s Lord of the Rings spin-off series. —Lucy Ford, TIME, 23 May 2024

However when Fuller House, a spin-off showcasing the Tanner sisters as adults, debuted in 2016, the twins chose not to reprise their roles. —Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 18 May 2024

Verb

It was founded as a single Orlando restaurant in 1968 by Bill Darden, then acquired by General Mills, which then spun off Red Lobster along with its Olive Garden chain as Darden Restaurants. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2024

Tribune Media, the former broadcast parent of Tribune Publishing, kept all the real estate — including Tribune Tower and Freedom Center — when the newspaper company spun off on its own in 2014. —Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1950, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1950, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

spin-off

noun

ˈspin-ˌȯf

1

: something that results from work done to produce a different product : by-product

household products that are spin-offs of space research

2

: something that imitates or comes from an earlier work or product

a spin-off of a hit TV show

Legal Definition

spin-off

noun

ˈspin-ˌȯf, -ˌäf

: a transfer of corporate assets to a subsidiary in return for a distribution to the shareholders of the corporation of all of the stock or controlling stock of the subsidiary without surrender of any stock by the shareholders of the corporation : a D reorganization involving a distribution of the stock of another company to the corporation's shareholders

also : a new company created by such a distribution compare split-off, split-up