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

Aaron Paul may play a young Han Solo in the first Star Wars spin-off.

From The Daily Beast

He opens up about overcoming tragedy, letting go of the Showtime drama, and a possible spin-off.

From The Daily Beast

For me, I signed on to The Avengers 1-3 and then Hawk-Eye, in case they want to do a Hawk-Eye spin-off.

From The Daily Beast

That's actually a great take on a spin-off, and to get to start my own franchise.

From The Daily Beast

It seemed crammed with characters, and like a setup film for The Sinister Six spin-off.

From The Daily Beast