dividend

noun

div·​i·​dend ˈdi-və-ˌdend 

-dənd

1

: an individual share of something distributed: such as

a

: a share in a pro rata distribution (as of profits) to stockholders

Profits are distributed to shareholders as dividends.

b

: a share of surplus allocated to a policyholder in a participating insurance policy

2

a

: a resultant return or reward

our efforts are finally paying dividends

b

: bonus

3

a

mathematics : a number to be divided

b

: a sum or fund to be divided and distributed

dividendless

ˈdi-və-ˌdend-ləs 

-dənd-

adjective

Synonyms of dividend

• bonus
• gift
• pension
• contribution

Examples of dividend in a Sentence

Profits are distributed to shareholders as dividends.

the reward money was an unexpected dividend for our good deed

Recent Examples on the Web

Experts have worried that this dynamic could lead to a phenomenon referred to as the liar’s dividend, in which bad actors use the claim that authentic media is AI-generated in order to create distrust and avoid accountability. —Jared Perlo, NBC news, 1 Feb. 2026

Still, cost estimates for the checks from three nonpartisan groups all showed that the dividend payments could cost more than what tariffs bring in over the course of a year. —Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 31 Jan. 2026

While there is time between now and the first race in Melbourne, which runs March 6-8, one team appears to be ahead of the field out of these first shakedown sessions, which could prove to be dividends for the 2026 season. —Maury Brown, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026

The Columbia Dividend Income Fund was recently called out by Morningstar as one of the best dividend funds for 2026. —Michelle Fox, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English divident, from Latin dividendus, gerundive of dividere — see divide entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dividend

• peace dividend
• stock dividend

Rhymes for dividend

• apprehend
• comprehend
• condescend
• recommend
• resuspend
• amend
• append
• ascend
• attend
• backend
• befriend
• boyfriend

Kids Definition

dividend

noun

div·​i·​dend ˈdiv-ə-ˌdend 

-əd-ənd

1

: a sum to be divided and given out

2

: bonus

3

: a number to be divided by another

Legal Definition

dividend

noun

div·​i·​dend ˈdi-və-ˌdend 

1

: the part of corporate net earnings distributed usually periodically (as quarterly) to stockholders in the form of cash, additional shares, or property either as a set amount per share or a percentage of par value

— constructive dividend

: a benefit (as unreasonable compensation or use of corporate property) or transfer of funds from a corporation to a shareholder that is interpreted by a taxing authority as a dividend

— cumulative dividend

: a dividend distributed to preferred stockholders that is added to and paid with the next payment or future payments if not paid when due

— extraordinary dividend

: a dividend declared in addition to a regular dividend because of unanticipated profits or a nonrecurring increase of revenue

2

: a share of the surplus earnings of a mutual insurance company paid to policyholders either in the form of cash disbursements or through reduction of premiums

3

: a payment disbursed to investors from the income of a mutual fund