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

• derivative
• derivation
• derivate

Examples of spin-off in a Sentence

Noun

a spin-off of the popular television series

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Rumors of Stranger Things spin-offs have been circulating for a while, and one of those still seems to be in place. —Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025

The flagship series also starring Antony Starr, Jack Quaid, Karl Urban, Erin Moriarty, and Chace Crawford also led to spin-offs Gen V and the animated The Boys Presents: Diabolical. —EW.com, 14 Aug. 2025

Verb

The legacy media publisher and broadcaster Gannett spun off its stations into what became Tegna in 2015. —Howard Homonoff, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025

Amid the top-line challenges, the newly independent company spun off from Lionsgate earlier this year is projecting growth in both subscribers and revenue over the next two quarters. —Dade Hayes, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1950, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1950, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for spin-off

• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff
• falloff
• handoff
• kickoff
• layoff
• liftoff
• markoff
• markov
• payoff
• playoff

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