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 Did you know? More Example Sentences Learn More About franchise

Synonyms & Antonyms for franchise

Synonyms: Noun

Antonyms: Noun

disenfranchisement

Did you know?

Franchise was voted into early 14th-century English as both a noun and verb. It is from the Anglo-French verb franchir, meaning "to free," itself from franc, "free." To be perfectly frank, the word franchise is most often encountered today with reference to restaurant chains or professional sports teams (e.g., "a franchise quarterback"), not to mention branded retail stores and sequel-driven movies and novels. These commercial meanings are far from the original meaning of the word in English: "freedom or immunity from some burden or restriction vested in a person or group." This meaning evolved into the "right to vote" sense of the word.

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 As the official watch brand of choice for the Olympic Games, NASA’s Apollo 11 mission and the James Bond franchise, Omega needs no further introduction. — Bernd Fischer, Men's Health, 5 May 2022 Hinch was fired by the Astros for his involvement in the franchise's 2017 sign-stealing scandal and suspended by MLB for the 2020 season. — Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press, 5 May 2022 Sarver also is majority owner of the Phoenix Mercury franchise. — Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 5 May 2022 The Florida Panthers finished with the best record in the NHL, claiming the franchise’s first Presidents’ Trophy, and are playing the Washington Capitals in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. — Jeff Miller, USA TODAY, 5 May 2022 But Star Trek is the signature franchise for the streaming service. — Frank Pallotta, CNN, 4 May 2022 Gray set the franchise’s assist record for a game with 14 last season against Minnesota as well. — Marisa Ingemi, San Francisco Chronicle, 4 May 2022 The Green shot a scorching 59 percent in the first 24 minutes to take a 25-point lead and drilled 13 of 20 3-pointers, setting a franchise postseason record for threes in a half. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 4 May 2022 No Star Wars abode is complete without Ruggable’s collection inspired by the sci-fi franchise. — Danielle Directo-meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 May 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb More surprising than the Jaguars’ shopping spree in free agency might have been the decision to franchise tag LT Cam Robinson. — Brad Biggs, chicagotribune.com, 3 Apr. 2022 The Jags might have quietly altered the top of this draft after opting to franchise LT Cam Robinson for the second straight year. — Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2022 The couple plans to franchise Nourish + Bloom Markets around the country, hoping to reach a goal of 800 stores in total. — Aliyah Thomas, ABC News, 26 Jan. 2022 This will be another attempt to franchise the business, which got its start at 14933 S. Pulaski Road in Midlothian. — Bob Bong, chicagotribune.com, 12 Jan. 2022 The Browns have Mayfield for this year, and then can franchise tag him in future years. — Doug Lesmerises, cleveland, 16 Jan. 2022 The Patriots could franchise tag Jackson, pushing his free agency to 2023 by offering him a guaranteed one-year contract projected to be worth $17.3 million. — BostonGlobe.com, 16 Jan. 2022 In a 34-13 rout over the Denver Broncos in January, Herbert threw two touchdown passes, which set the Chargers franchise single-season record for touchdown passes at 35 at the time. — oregonlive, 13 Jan. 2022 In a 34-13 rout over the Denver Broncos, Herbert threw two touchdown passes, which set the Chargers franchise single-season record for touchdown passes at 35. — oregonlive, 4 Jan. 2022 See More

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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Dictionary Entries Near franchise

franchisal

franchise

franchise bond

Statistics for franchise

Last Updated

8 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Franchise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/franchise. Accessed 13 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for franchise

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