: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 The senior tranche of financing, which would get paid back first, is expected to be around $45 billion, and the junior tranche will be about $35 billion, though the numbers are fluid sources said. Cj Haddad, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026 The per-seat price for that tranche was $750,000 — a number that's no longer available. Mike Wall, Space.com, 13 Aug. 2026 Additional restrictions are expected to lift in later tranches, with a much larger percentage of the company potentially becoming tradable over time. Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 9 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 1 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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