divestiture

noun

Save Word

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 Pioneer cited a divestiture as a reason for the decrease. — Benoît Morenne, WSJ, 6 Aug. 2022 In the financial year covered by the annual report, the company had seven acquisitions and one divestiture. — Steve Banker, Forbes, 1 July 2022 The reason for the underperformance was that the firm completed a whopping $10 billion divestiture program late last year, leaving it with core operations in the Permian, Rockies and Gulf of Mexico. — Moneyshow, Forbes, 13 Apr. 2022 The sale is the final piece of the company’s divestiture of its security business and is subject to regulatory approval. — Stephen Singer, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2022 In the company’s fiscal third quarter ended May 1, organic net sales, stripping out the impact of a baby-food brand divestiture, jumped 9% from a year earlier. — Aaron Back, WSJ, 8 June 2022 That divestiture ended the telco’s run in media and entertainment to focus on its core telecommunications biz. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 20 May 2022 The divestiture came late last month, soon after Russia invaded Ukraine. — Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 25 Mar. 2022 The divestiture likely includes two dispensaries and a cultivation facility in Illinois. — Robert Channick, chicagotribune.com, 23 Mar. 2022 See More

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.

Learn More About divestiture

Dictionary Entries Near divestiture

divestitive

divestiture

divest of

Statistics for divestiture

Last Updated

14 Aug 2022

Cite this Entry

“Divestiture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/divestiture. Accessed 17 Aug. 2022.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

More Definitions for divestiture

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