Definition of: franchise

(fran′chīz) noun
1. A political or constitutional right reserved to or vested in the people, as the right of suffrage.
2. Law A special privilege emanating from the government by legislative or royal grant and vested in an individual person or in a body politic and corporate; a right to do something, as run a railroad, a bus line, etc.
3. The territory or boundary of a special privilege or immunity.
4. Authorization granted by a manufacturer to distributor or retailer to sell his products. See synonyms under RIGHT.
—v.t. Obs. To enfranchise. [<OF <franc, franche free]