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

There were big problems in vast tranches of societies and cultures. — David Brooks, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026

About 308,000 warrant shares vested immediately and the remaining tranches vest contingent upon payments for the generators. — Annie Palmer, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026

Fortunately, more answers should arrive in the near future, based on a larger tranche of data that has been properly blinded. — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2026

And Meta will pay out the $18 billion settlement in annual tranches over ten years, which will go toward state youth mental health and online safety training programs. — Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 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