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 trancer, meaning "to cut." Tranche emerged in the English language in the late 19th century to describe financial appropriations. Today, it is often used specifically of an issue of bonds that is differentiated from other issues by such factors as maturity or rate of return. Another use of the French word tranche is in the French phrase une tranche de vie, meaning "a cross section of life." That phrase was coined by the dramatist Jean Jullien (1854-1919), who advocated naturalism in the theater.

Examples of tranche in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The two sides agreed to each hand over at least 1,200 POWs and repatriate bodies of the deceased: The first tranche included prisoners aged under 25 and those who had been severely wounded. —Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 10 June 2025

What 90-day experiment will unlock the next tranche? 3. —Adi Prakash, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025

Vince McMahon has sold a big tranche of his stock in TKO Group to Endeavor Group Holdings, the majority shareholder of the parent company of WWE and UFC. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 4 June 2025

Joby Aviation — The aviation stock gained more than 10% after the firm announced the closing of the first tranche of a $250 million investment from Toyota. —Brian Evans, CNBC, 28 May 2025

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
• 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