Definition of "franchise" in English

noun

The right to vote at a public election or referendum; see: suffrage.
A right or privilege officially granted to a person, a group of people, or a company by a government.
- a. 1872, William H. Seward, debate Election by universal suffrage, as modified by the Constitution, is the one crowning franchise of the American people.
An acknowledgment of a corporation's existence and ownership.
The authorization granted by a company to sell or distribute its goods or services in a certain area.
- McDonald’s has exported its franchise.
A business operating under such authorization, a franchisee.
A legal exemption from jurisdiction.
The membership of a corporation or state; citizenship.
The district or jurisdiction to which a particular privilege extends; the limits of an immunity; hence, an asylum or sanctuary.
(sports) The collection of organizations in the history of a sports team; the tradition of a sports team as an entity, extending beyond the contemporary organization.
- The Whalers' home city of Hartford was one of many for the franchise.
- He devoted almost his full cricket career to playing county cricket for seven franchises until he earned a maiden callup at 35.
(business, marketing) The positive influence on the buying behavior of customers exerted by the reputation of a company or a brand.
The loose collection of fictional works pertaining to a particular fictional universe, including literary, film, or television series from various sources, generally when all authorized by a copyright holder or similar authority.
- the Star Wars franchise
Exemption from constraint or oppression; freedom; liberty.
(obsolete) Magnanimity; generosity; liberality; frankness; nobility.

verb

(transitive) To confer certain powers on; grant a franchise to; authorize.
(transitive, rare) To set free; invest with a franchise or privilege; enfranchise.
(transitive) To give to others the rights to sell or distribute (goods or services).