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

It’s the first time the group has spun off the prizes into a separate evening.

From Los Angeles Times

Walt Disney has also considered spinning off its cable networks but ended up scrapping the plan.

From BBC

NBCUniversal parent Comcast Corp. is considering spinning off its cable networks into a separate company as the media giant continues to grapple with massive changes in the overall linear television business.

From Los Angeles Times

The collision resulted in Schumacher's car spinning off the track and ending his race, meanwhile Villeneuve finished the grand prix and claimed the title.

From BBC

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

From BBC