shareholder

noun

share·​hold·​er ˈsher-ˌhōl-dər How to pronounce shareholder (audio)
: one that holds or owns a share in property
especially : stockholder
shareholding
ˈsher-ˌhōl-diŋ How to pronounce shareholder (audio)
noun

Examples of shareholder 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.
The company is getting $1 billion in proceeds, while the rest is going to shareholders. — ABC News, 1 July 2026 Netflix’s decision back then was in part aimed at mollifying shareholders, who at the time were flipping out over a slowdown in subscriber growth. — Josef Adalian, Vulture, 1 July 2026 An activist has to win the active consent of two-thirds of every shareholder, not just arrive with a motivated minority. — Kyle Westaway, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 Paramount needs to close the deal by the end of September before a ‘ticking fee’ commitment to WBD shareholders begins. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for shareholder

Word History

First Known Use

1755, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shareholder was in 1755

Rhymes for shareholder

See All Rhymes for shareholder

Browse Nearby Words

shareef
shareholder
shareman
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shareholder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shareholder. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

shareholder

noun
share·​hold·​er -ˌhōl-dər How to pronounce shareholder (audio)
: one that owns or holds a share in property
especially : stockholder

Legal Definition

shareholder

noun
share·​hold·​er
: one that owns a share in a fund (as a mutual fund) or property
especially : stockholder see also derivative action, equity sense 4c, proxy contest
shareholding adjective or noun

More from Merriam-Webster on shareholder

Nglish: Translation of shareholder for Spanish Speakers

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