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

There were rumors one of the Power spin-offs could be set in the UK’s capital, but Jackson has just had Fightland – a boxing drama series set in London – greenlit at Starz, which spun out of Lionsgate last year. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 16 June 2025

The reintegration comes after an August 2024 audit from the state’s Office of Legislative Audits that found the spin-offs were too costly and appeared to bypass the school’s normal procedures. —Sam Gauntt, Baltimore Sun, 15 June 2025

Verb

On Tuesday, left fielder Brandon Nimmo failed to make a catch on a tough ball with some funky spin off Freddie Freeman’s bat on the last play of the game. —Will Sammon, New York Times, 6 June 2025

Wallis has starred on shows like Star Trek: Discovery and Peaky Blinders, also appearing in films like Silent Night, Malignant, multiple entries in the Annabelle horror franchise spinning off The Conjuring, and more. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 4 June 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