Webster's English Dictionary

Enter the word to look up:

franchise

1. fran.chise \'fran-.chi-z\ n [ME, fr. OF, fr. franchir to free, fr. franc 
   free] 1: freedom or immunity from some burden or restriction vested in a 
   person o r group 2a: a special privilege granted to an individual or group; 
   esp : th e right to be and exercise the powers of a corporation 2b: a 
   constitutional or statutory right or privilege; esp : the rig ht to vote
2. franchise vt : ENFRANCHISE, FREE