tranche

noun

ˈträⁿsh 

: a division or portion of a pool or whole

specifically : an issue of bonds derived from a pooling of like obligations (such as securitized mortgage debt) that is differentiated from other issues especially by maturity or rate of return

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Finance and Tranche

In French, tranche means “slice.” Cutting deeper into the word’s etymology, we find the Old French word trenchier, meaning “to cut,” which has its likely origin in a Latin word meaning “to cut in three,” from Latin trini meaning “three each.” Tranche emerged in the English language in the late 19th century to refer to a division or portion of a larger pool or whole, and later developed a finance-specific meaning referring to an offering for sale of typically a set of bonds “cut” from a larger group of bonds, the tranche being differentiated by such factors as maturity or rate of return.

Examples of tranche in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Amazon issued bonds in eight tranches ranging from three to 40 years, according to BofA, and hyperscaler bond spreads expanded between six and 15 basis points that day. — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 8 July 2026

Some restrictions are lifted in various tranches between 70 and 135 days after the June 12 IPO , while rules for CEO Elon Musk’s shares, along with some other big investors, lift 366 days after the IPO. — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 6 July 2026

Members of the public unsuccessful in procuring tickets from the first tranche will have two further opportunities when more tickets go on sale in October and January. — Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 3 July 2026

Pointing to a recent tranche of videos released by the Pentagon, Gallaudet says the council will try to determine the velocities and rates of movement of UAPs, in order to better understand their nature. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 2 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, slice, from Old French, from trenchier, trancher to cut — more at trench

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tranche

• blanch
• branch
• cranch
• manche
• ranch
• stanch
• avalanche

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Legal Definition

tranche

noun

ˈträⁿsh 

: a division or portion of a pool or whole: as

a

: an issue of bonds derived from a pooling of like obligations that is differentiated from other issues especially by maturity or rate of return

b

: a bond series issued for sale in a foreign country

Etymology

French, literally, slice, from Old French, from trenchier, trancher to cut