franchise
The right to vote at a public election or referendum; see: suffrage.
Noun 4 meanings
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.”
Verb 2 meanings
To confer certain powers on; grant a franchise to; authorize.
To give to others the rights to sell or distribute (goods or services).
Etymology
From Middle English franchise, fraunchise, from Old French franchise (“freedom”), a derivative of franc (“free”). More at frank.
Similar and opposite words
FRANCHISE at a glance
FRANCHISE has 9 letters and scores 17 points in Scrabble (F 4 + R 1 + A 1 + N 1 + C 3 + H 4 + I 1 + S 1 + E 1) and 18 in Words With Friends, before board bonuses. It ranks #4,298 by how often it appears in everyday English. It is valid in ENABLE, NWL2023, Collins/SOWPODS.
Rhymes with franchise
All rhymesKeep going
Related lists
Looking for a different word?
Type the letters you have and the Finder shows every word that fits.