divestiture

noun

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di·ves·ti·ture | \ dī-ˈve-stə-ˌchu̇r

, -chər, də-, chiefly Southern -t(y)u̇(ə)r \

Definition of divestiture

1 : the act of divesting

2 : the compulsory transfer of title or disposal of interests (such as stock in a corporation) upon government order

Examples of divestiture in a Sentence

Divestitures are used to break up monopolies. Before divestiture, the telephone company monopolized the state.

Recent Examples on the Web If an investment has already been completed, the Cabinet may also force a divestiture of the business. — Control Risks, Forbes, "Canadian Government Ramps Up National Security Reviews Of Foreign Investments," 9 Apr. 2021 The business group could be supportive of a Hynes divestiture, president Meg Mainzer-Cohen said, if the redevelopment includes at least 150,000 square feet of meeting space. — BostonGlobe.com, "Boston’s convention industry is anxious for signs of life as other parts of the economy reopen," 23 Mar. 2021 On Saturday, the White House official said Mr. Sullivan is divesting himself of all of his stockholdings, which will be reflected in a coming government certificate of divestiture. — Chad Day, WSJ, "Biden White House’s Ties to Big Tech Are Detailed in New Disclosures," 21 Mar. 2021 In 2019, activist investor Elliott Investment Management urged AT&T to explore a divestiture of DirecTV. — Bloomberg Wire, Dallas News, "AT&T reportedly nearing deal to sell TPG a major stake in DirecTV," 23 Feb. 2021 For MetLife, the divestiture sheds a relatively small unit at what analysts say is a premium price. — Leslie Scism And Julie Steinberg, WSJ, "MetLife to Sell Car and Home Insurance Unit to Zurich for Nearly $4 Billion," 11 Dec. 2020 Right now, the office relies on a president’s desire to avoid scandal and impropriety, and the Senate’s reluctance to schedule confirmation hearings for nominees who have not filed the proper paperwork and committed to divestiture. — New York Times, "Beyond Impeachment, a Push for Ethics Laws That Do Not Depend on Shame," 11 Jan. 2021 Friday’s deadline related only to the divestiture of the company. — Washington Post, "TikTok sale deadline will pass, though regulators will hold off on enforcing divestiture," 5 Dec. 2020 To fend off regulatory concerns, Staples would accept a divestiture of ODP’s business-to-business operation to a third-party buyer. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, "Amazon’s rise could help pave the way for Staples-Office Depot merger, finally," 11 Jan. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'divestiture.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

16 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Divestiture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/divestiture. Accessed 8 May. 2021.

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More Definitions for divestiture

divestiture

noun

English Language Learners Definition of divestiture

finance : the act of selling stock, property, etc., because of a government order

See the full definition for divestiture in the English Language Learners Dictionary

divestiture

noun

di·ves·ti·ture | \ dī-ˈves-ti-ˌchu̇r, də-, -chər

Legal Definition of divestiture

1 : the sale or transfer of title to a property (as an operating division) under court order (as in bankruptcy)

2 : the sale of an asset (as a business division) that is unprofitable, does not enhance a corporate restructuring, or is felt to be morally reprehensible

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