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

Did you know?

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

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, however, said last week that the first tranche of a trade deal was in its final stages. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026

The first tranche of new market launches will happen in March 2027, spanning nine countries in Europe (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden and Switzerland), along with Colombia, Peru and New Zealand. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 20 Oct. 2026

Next week, this tranche of Season 2 episodes will conclude with Cynthia Erivo. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2026

Next, Hollands is planning to keep analyzing more white dwarf star spectra, with advances in scientific techniques meaning that researchers will be able to look at a new tranche of stars that are even farther away from Earth. — Jack Guy, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 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

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

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