franchise

noun

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fran·chise | \ ˈfran-ˌchīz

plural franchises

Definition of franchise

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a(1) : the right or license granted to an individual or group to market a company's goods or services in a particular territory also : a business granted such a right or license just opened a new fast-food franchise down the street

(2) : the territory involved in such a right

b : a constitutional or statutory right or privilege especially : the right to vote

c : a special privilege granted to an individual or group especially : the right to be and exercise the powers of a corporation

2a : the right of membership in a professional sports league

b : a team and its operating organization having such membership He's the best player in the history of the franchise.

3 : a series of related works (such as novels or films) each of which includes the same characters or different characters that are understood to exist and interact in the same fictional universe with characters from the other works The main reason we all keep going back to the "Mission: Impossible" franchise is the stunts, of course. Watching Ethan Hunt as he scales mountains, jumps onto planes and dangles from skyscrapers fills us with eye-rolling delight.— Randy Myers Rowling's seven Harry Potter novels sold more than 500 million copies. Its respective film franchise drummed up over $7 billion at the box office.— Dory Jackson

4 : freedom or immunity from some burden or restriction vested in a person or group

franchise

verb

franchised; franchising

Definition of franchise (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to grant a franchise to

2 archaic : free

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about franchise

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Synonyms & Antonyms for franchise

Synonyms: Noun

Antonyms: Noun

disenfranchisement

Examples of franchise in a Sentence

Noun She was granted an exclusive franchise in the city's west end. They just opened a new fast-food franchise down the street. The U.S. did not extend the franchise to women until the early 20th century. He's the best player in the history of the franchise.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Thurston's season comes at a turbulent time for the Bachelor franchise. — The Editors, Marie Claire, 9 June 2021 Having Katie periodically giggle and gossip with some friends about it makes the show lighter and is a good evolution for the franchise. — Lia Beck, refinery29.com, 8 June 2021 When the Orlando Magic moved Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon and Evan Fournier at the March 25 trade deadline, the deals signaled a 180-degree turn for the franchise. — Roy Parry, orlandosentinel.com, 7 June 2021 Now Jones, who's averaged nearly 1,300 receiving yards per season during his 10-year NFL career (despite missing 25 games), joins the mix for a franchise that has had four 1,300 receiving-yard efforts in its 62-year history. — Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 6 June 2021 Nor is this outing for the franchise quite as much of a haunted house affair, though a large house on a quiet corner looms throughout with unsettling terror. — K. Austin Collins, Rolling Stone, 4 June 2021 Thankfully for audiences as well as for the franchise, the real-life Warrens passed away before having a chance to get into QAnon. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 4 June 2021 Dallas fans, starved for the franchise’s first series win in a decade, would love nothing more than to send the Mavericks on to Salt Lake City with Game 6 roars still ringing in their ears. — Dallas News, 4 June 2021 Maybe next year will actually arrive for this franchise, for a change. — Paul Daugherty, The Enquirer, 3 June 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb One of the most intriguing is Lawson, whom some thought the Bengals might franchise. — Dave Clark, The Enquirer, 10 Mar. 2021 One of the most intriguing is Lawson, whom some thought the Bengals might franchise. — Dave Clark, The Enquirer, 10 Mar. 2021 One of the most intriguing is Lawson, whom some thought the Bengals might franchise. — Dave Clark, The Enquirer, 10 Mar. 2021 One of the most intriguing is Lawson, whom some thought the Bengals might franchise. — Dave Clark, The Enquirer, 10 Mar. 2021 One of the most intriguing is Lawson, whom some thought the Bengals might franchise. — Dave Clark, The Enquirer, 10 Mar. 2021 Joe Thuney: The Patriots weren't willing to franchise him a second time, but the 28-year-old seems bound to collect copious coin from someone. — Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2021 The tight end will be a free agent after the Chargers opted to not franchise tag him. — Jeff Miller, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2021 One of the most intriguing is Lawson, whom some thought the Bengals might franchise. — Dave Clark, The Enquirer, 10 Mar. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'franchise.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

13 Jun 2021

Cite this Entry

“Franchise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/franchise. Accessed 13 Jun. 2021.

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More Definitions for franchise

franchise

noun

English Language Learners Definition of franchise

(Entry 1 of 2)

: the right to sell a company's goods or services in a particular area also : a business that is given such a right

: the right to vote

US, sports : a team that is a member of a professional sports league

franchise

verb

English Language Learners Definition of franchise (Entry 2 of 2)

: to offer the right to sell (your company's goods or services) in a particular area

See the full definition for franchise in the English Language Learners Dictionary

franchise

noun

fran·chise | \ ˈfran-ˌchīz

Legal Definition of franchise

1 : a special right or privilege granted by the government to an individual, group, or business entity: as

a : a right to conduct a business and especially to be and to exercise the powers of a corporation

b : a right granted to a public utility company to provide services and to use public land for that purpose

2 : a constitutional or statutory right especially : the right to vote —used with the restricting them in employment, education, the franchise, legal personality, and public accommodation — W. H. Burns

3 : a right or license that is granted to an individual or group to market a company's goods or services in a particular territory under the company's trademark, trade name, or service mark and that often involves the use of rules and procedures designed by the company and services (as advertising) and facilities provided by the company in return for fees, royalties, or other compensation also : a business granted such a right or license ran a fast-food franchise

4a : an amount of liability (as a percentage or sum) specified in an insurance contract below which an insurer disclaims liability and above which the insurer assumes total liability — compare deductible

b : group insurance covering fewer than the minimum number of participants required by law for such coverage