: a division or portion of a pool or whole
specifically : an issue of bonds derived from a pooling of like obligations (such as securitized mortgage debt) that is differentiated from other issues especially by maturity or rate of return

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Finance and Tranche

In French, tranche means “slice.” Cutting deeper into the word’s etymology, we find the Old French word trenchier, meaning “to cut,” which has its likely origin in a Latin word meaning “to cut in three,” from Latin trini meaning “three each.” Tranche emerged in the English language in the late 19th century to refer to a division or portion of a larger pool or whole, and later developed a finance-specific meaning referring to an offering for sale of typically a set of bonds “cut” from a larger group of bonds, the tranche being differentiated by such factors as maturity or rate of return.

Examples of tranche in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Fortunately, more answers should arrive in the near future, based on a larger tranche of data that has been properly blinded. Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2026 And Meta will pay out the $18 billion settlement in annual tranches over ten years, which will go toward state youth mental health and online safety training programs. Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026 Leonid Radvinsky received $535 million in the fiscal year that ended in November and a further $174 million in tranches through the first three months of 2026, according to the company’s UK accounts released Tuesday. Bloomberg, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026 Maryland is using an initial $80 million from its tranche to expand access to primary care, mental care services and dental services in rural parts of the state. Joey Garrison, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tranche

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, slice, from Old French, from trenchier, trancher to cut — more at trench

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tranche was in 1893

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Cite this Entry

“Tranche.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tranche. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Legal Definition

: a division or portion of a pool or whole: as
a
: an issue of bonds derived from a pooling of like obligations that is differentiated from other issues especially by maturity or rate of return
b
: a bond series issued for sale in a foreign country
Etymology

French, literally, slice, from Old French, from trenchier, trancher to cut

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