dividend

noun

div·​i·​dend ˈdi-və-ˌdend How to pronounce dividend (audio)
-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 adjective

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 While its holdings resemble those of SPY, its dividend does not. Michael Foster, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024 While lower rates are still bullish for gold, which doesn’t pay interest or dividends, higher rates don’t necessarily put pressure on bullion anymore, BofA said, maintaining a gold price target of $3,000 per ounce. Jason Ma, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2024 Investors can nab a 1.9% dividend yield with Abbott Laboratories , which manufactures and sells pharmaceutical, diagnostic and nutritional products, as well as medical devices. Michelle Fox, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2024 If Rwanda can navigate the obvious economic risks, its ambitious sporting strategy could yield big dividends, both financially and diplomatically. Adrian Blomfield, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dividend 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dividend.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of dividend was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near dividend

Cite this Entry

“Dividend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dividend. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

dividend

noun
div·​i·​dend ˈdiv-ə-ˌdend How to pronounce dividend (audio)
-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 How to pronounce dividend (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on dividend

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