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

Focused on songs, bright colors and a world with no sharp edges, “CoComelon” has become a children’s media juggernaut, spawning spin-offs, video games, toys, a live tour and a story-time podcast.

From Los Angeles Times

The first in the final episodes of the series premiered Sunday after rampant speculation about the future of Costner’s protagonist and as a slate of spin-offs have materialized.

From Los Angeles Times

There have already been two Yellowstone spin-offs, with more in the works.

From BBC

On Wednesday, she told Strictly spin-off show It Takes Two that she has a "insufficiency stress fracture, if I've said that right, on my shin".

From BBC

Production company Banijay UK also apologised, saying informal concerns raised about the presenter while he hosted Big Brother spin-off programmes were "not properly escalated or adequately addressed".

From BBC