fran·chise
ˈfran-ˌchīz 
plural franchises
1
a(1)
: the right or license granted to an individual or group to market a company's goods or services in a particular territory
also
: a business granted such a right or license
just opened a new fast-food franchise down the street
(2)
: the territory involved in such a right
b
: a constitutional or statutory right or privilege
especially
: the right to vote
c
: a special privilege granted to an individual or group
especially
: the right to be and exercise the powers of a corporation
2
a
: the right of membership in a professional sports league
b
: a team and its operating organization having such membership
He's the best player in the history of the franchise.
3
: a series of related works (such as novels or films) each of which includes the same characters or different characters that are understood to exist and interact in the same fictional universe with characters from the other works
The main reason we all keep going back to the "Mission: Impossible" franchise is the stunts, of course. Watching Ethan Hunt as he scales mountains, jumps onto planes and dangles from skyscrapers fills us with eye-rolling delight.—
Randy Myers
Randy MyersRowling's seven Harry Potter novels sold more than 500 million copies. Its respective film franchise drummed up over $7 billion at the box office.—Dory Jackson
Dory Jackson4
: freedom or immunity from some burden or restriction vested in a person or group
franchised; franchising
Did you know?
Franchise was voted into early 14th-century English as both a noun and verb. It is from the Anglo-French verb franchir, meaning "to free," itself from franc, "free." To be perfectly frank, the word franchise is most often encountered today with reference to restaurant chains or professional sports teams (e.g., "a franchise quarterback"), not to mention branded retail stores and sequel-driven movies and novels. These commercial meanings are far from the original meaning of the word in English: "freedom or immunity from some burden or restriction vested in a person or group." This meaning evolved into the "right to vote" sense of the word.
Examples of franchise in a Sentence
Noun
She was granted an exclusive franchise in the city's west end.
They just opened a new fast-food franchise down the street.
The U.S. did not extend the franchise to women until the early 20th century.
He's the best player in the history of the franchise.
Recent Examples on the Web
Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 22 Nov. 2024
The Sixers retooled their roster this offseason as a way to provide as much depth as possible around their injury-prone franchise big.
—Kambui Bomani, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Gary Stern, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
Across all brands, Franchise has 2,200 retail store locations including company-owned and franchised, and 11,900 total employees.
—Vicki M. Young, Sourcing Journal, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for franchise 
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Noun
The additional and projected revenue has allowed the franchise, which has major sponsor deals with United Way and Publix, to add a dozen dedicated staffers to the business operations team.
—Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 22 Nov. 2024
The Sixers retooled their roster this offseason as a way to provide as much depth as possible around their injury-prone franchise big.
—Kambui Bomani, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
Franchising has been key to its growth since 99 of its locations are franchised with 1 company-owned.
—Gary Stern, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
Across all brands, Franchise has 2,200 retail store locations including company-owned and franchised, and 11,900 total employees.
—Vicki M. Young, Sourcing Journal, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for franchise
Dictionary Entries Near franchise
Cite this Entry
“Franchise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/franchise. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
franchise
noun
fran·chise
ˈfran-ˌchīz
1
: a special right or privilege granted by the government to an individual, group, or business entity: as
a
: a right to conduct a business and especially to be and to exercise the powers of a corporation
b
: a right granted to a public utility company to provide services and to use public land for that purpose
2
: a constitutional or statutory right
especially
: the right to vote
—used with the
restricting them in employment, education, the franchise, legal personality, and public accommodation —W. H. Burns
W. H. Burns 3
: a right or license that is granted to an individual or group to market a company's goods or services in a particular territory under the company's trademark, trade name, or service mark and that often involves the use of rules and procedures designed by the company and services (as advertising) and facilities provided by the company in return for fees, royalties, or other compensation
also
: a business granted such a right or license
ran a fast-food franchise
4
a
: an amount of liability (as a percentage or sum) specified in an insurance contract below which an insurer disclaims liability and above which the insurer assumes total liability compare deductible
b
: group insurance covering fewer than the minimum number of participants required by law for such coverage
Etymology
Noun
Anglo-French, literally, freedom, liberty, from Middle French, from franchir to free, from Old French franc free
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