[ 'fran(t)ʃʌɪz ]
■ noun
1》 an authorization granted by a government or company to an individual or group enabling them to carry out specified commercial activities.
↘a business or service granted such authorization.
↘ N. Amer. an authorization given by a professional league to own a sports team.
↘ N. Amer. informal a professional sports team.
2》 the right to vote in public elections.
■ verb grant a ~ to.
↘grant a ~ for the sale of (goods) or the operation of (a service).
Derivatives
~e noun
~r (also franchisor ) noun
Origin
ME (denoting a grant of legal immunity): from OFr., based on franc , franche (see frank 1 ).