spin-off

or spin·off

[ spin-awf, -of ]

noun

1. Commerce. a process of reorganizing a corporate structure whereby the capital stock of a division or subsidiary of a corporation or of a newly affiliated company is transferred to the stockholders of the parent corporation without an exchange of any part of the stock of the latter. Compare carveout ( def 1 ), split-off ( def 3 ), split-up ( def 3 ).
2. any product that is an adaption, outgrowth, or development of another similar product:

   The paperback is a spin-off from the large hardcover encyclopedia.

   Synonyms: offshoot, issue, by-product

3. a secondary or incidental product or effect derived from technological development in a somewhat unrelated area.

   Synonyms: offshoot, issue, by-product

spin off

verb

1. tr, preposition to turn (a part of a business enterprise) into a separate company

noun

1. any product or development derived incidentally from the application of existing knowledge or enterprise
2. a book, film, or television series derived from a similar successful book, film, or television series

Word History and Origins

Origin of spin-off¹

First recorded in 1945–50; noun use of verb phrase spin off

Idioms and Phrases

Derive or produce from something else, especially a small part from a larger whole. For example, The corporation decided to spin off the automobile parts division , or Her column was spun off from her book on this subject . The expression transfers the throwing off by centrifugal force, as in spinning, to other enterprises. [Mid-1900s]

Example Sentences

Phillips 66, which has operated the refineries since its 2012 spin off from ConocoPhillips, said it would replace their output with sources “inside and outside its refining network” and with renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuels from its San Francisco Bay Area refinery.

From Los Angeles Times

Obviously, the amount of spin off the surface depends on the specific bowlers playing, as well as the surface itself.

From BBC

It's unclear whether the Crumbl spin off violated Australian consumer law, or whether those affected have grounds to act.

From BBC

Norris, for whom starts and first laps have been a weakness in recent races, was passed almost immediately when he had too much wheel spin off the line.

From BBC

The decision leaves open the possibility that Mehta may force Google to change up some of its deals—especially the exclusivity agreements with other tech companies that make for the heart of the case—or spin off some of its subsidiary businesses and programs.

From Slate