Fran"chise (? or ?; 277), n. [F., fr. franc, fem. franche, free. See Frank, a.] 1. Exemption from constraint or oppression; freedom; liberty. [Obs.] Spenser.

2. (LAw) A particular privilege conferred by grant from a sovereign or a government, and vested in individuals; an immunity or exemption from ordinary jurisdiction; a constitutional or statutory right or privilege, esp. the right to vote.

Election by universal suffrage, as modified by the Constitution, is the one crowning franchise of the American people.

3. The district or jurisdiction to which a particular privilege extends; the limits of an immunity; hence, an asylum or sanctuary.

Churches and mobasteries in Spain are franchises for criminals.

4. Magnanimity; generosity; liberality; frankness; nobility. "Franchise in woman." [Obs.] Chaucer.

Fran"chise, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Franchised (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Franchising.] [Cf. OF. franchir to free, F., to cross.] To make free; to enfranchise; to give liberty to. Shak.

• A right or privilege officially granted to a person or a company by a government; 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.
  
• A company established under such authorization.
  
• A legal exemption from jurisdiction.
  
• The membership of a corporation or state; citizenship.
  
• The right of voting at a public election.
  
• An excellent player in a team sport.
  
• (transitive) To confer certain powers on; grant a franchise to; authorize.
  
• (transitive, rare) To set free; invest with a franchise or privilege; enfranchise.