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

• bonus
• cumshaw
• donative
• extra
• gratuity
• gravy
• gravy train
• lagniappe
• perk
• perquisite
• throw-in
• tip

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

This powerful carbon fee and dividend legislation includes a fee on carbon pollution that will take the profit out of fossil fuels, a cash-back dividend that will support the people during the transition to clean energy, and a carbon border adjustment to protect U.S. manufacturers and jobs. —Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 23 Nov. 2023

His 90 percent stake in the business and the dividends he’s received combine for a fortune of $7.6 billion. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 16 Nov. 2023

The dividend will be payable on Dec. 15 to shareholders of record at the close of business on Dec. 1. —Serenah McKay, arkansasonline.com, 14 Nov. 2023

In a nutshell, the bigger the discount, the less a fund needs to earn to cover the dividend. —Michael Foster, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023

The findings suggest that even seemingly innocuous deepfakes can contribute to the liar’s dividend. —IEEE Spectrum, 9 Nov. 2023

This helps cigarette companies pay generous dividends to their shareholders. —Carol Ryan, WSJ, 4 Nov. 2023

The dividend is the lowest paid to the Austrian shareholder in three years, and reflects a stutter in profitability last year in an otherwise exponential growth path for the company. —Marton Eder, Fortune, 1 Nov. 2023

Tyson expects company dividends to stay at the same amounts throughout fiscal 2024. —Serenah McKay, arkansasonline.com, 14 Nov. 2023

See More

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

• peace dividend
• stock dividend

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