spin-off

1 of 2

noun

ˈspin-ˌȯf 

1

: the distribution by a business to its stockholders of particular assets and especially of stock of another company

also : the new company created by such a distribution

2

: a collateral or derived product or effect : by-product

also : a number of such products

the spin-off from the space program

3

: something that is imitative or derivative of an earlier work, product, or establishment

especially : a television show starring a character popular in a secondary role of an earlier show

spin off

2 of 2

verb

spun off; spinning off; spins off

transitive verb

: to establish or produce as a spin-off

the company spun off its computer division

spin off a new TV series

intransitive verb

: to establish or become a spin-off

Synonyms

Noun

• by-product
• derivate
• derivation
• derivative
• offshoot
• outgrowth

Examples of spin-off in a Sentence

Noun

a spin-off of the popular television series

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The Mandalorian and Grogu, a spin-off of its only megahit streaming series… Disney has not yet responded to requests for comment. —Paul Tassi, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024

Benz played Darla on Buffy in the first, second and fifth seasons of the Joss Whedon series, and also starred in its spin-off, Angel, until 2004, before being cast on Dexter two years later. —Kirsty Hatcher, People.com, 23 Dec. 2024

Verb

The album, released in August, is the first to spin off at least three Pop Airplay leaders since Selena Gomez’s Revival in 2016, and the 10th to achieve the feat in the chart’s history. —Gary Trust, Billboard, 13 Dec. 2024

So far, ByteDance has shown zero willingness to spin off TikTok in the US. —Alex Heath, The Verge, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1950, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1950, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

spin-off

noun

ˈspin-ˌȯf

1

: something that results from work done to produce a different product : by-product

household products that are spin-offs of space research

2

: something that imitates or comes from an earlier work or product

a spin-off of a hit TV show

Legal Definition

spin-off

noun

ˈspin-ˌȯf, -ˌäf

: a transfer of corporate assets to a subsidiary in return for a distribution to the shareholders of the corporation of all of the stock or controlling stock of the subsidiary without surrender of any stock by the shareholders of the corporation : a D reorganization involving a distribution of the stock of another company to the corporation's shareholders

also : a new company created by such a distribution compare split-off, split-up