franchise

1. The right to vote at a public election or referendum; see: suffrage. (countable, uncountable)
2. A right or privilege officially granted to a person, a group of people, or a company by a government. (countable, uncountable)
3. An acknowledgment of a corporation's existence and ownership. (countable, uncountable)
4. The authorization granted by a company to sell or distribute its goods or services in a certain area. (countable, uncountable) · McDonald’s has exported its franchise.
5. A business operating under such authorization, a franchisee. (countable, uncountable)
6. A legal exemption from jurisdiction. (countable, uncountable)
7. The membership of a corporation or state; citizenship. (countable, uncountable)
8. The district or jurisdiction to which a particular privilege extends; the limits of an immunity; hence, an asylum or sanctuary. (countable, uncountable)

Plural franchises