insider

noun in·sid·er \ (ˌ)in-ˈsī-dər , ˈin-ˌsī- \

|Updated on: 23 Jun 2018

Definition of insider

: a person recognized or accepted as a member of a group, category, or organization: such as

a : a person who is in a position of power or has access to confidential information

b : a person (such as an officer or director) who is in a position to have special knowledge of the affairs of or to influence the decisions of a company

See insider defined for English-language learners

See insider defined for kids

Examples of insider in a Sentence

Political insiders say that she is planning to run for president.
The book gives fans an insider's view of Hollywood.

Recent Examples of insider from the Web

Pro-prejudice organizers were using the language of insiders and outsiders, of those who belong and those who didn’t.

— lorraine boissoneault, Smithsonian, "The Unheralded Pioneers of 19th-Century America Were Free African-American Families," 19 June 2018
The store doesn't open until tomorrow, but Kardashian and her insiders have already shared a few glimpses into the location on Instagram.

— leah prinzivalli, Allure, "Kim Kardashian Teases Inside of KKW Beauty L.A. Pop-Up Shop," 19 June 2018
Who is the traitorous insider within the White House who is using information from the hackers obtained via WhatsApp for her own political ends?

— sean gallagher, Ars Technica, "The President Is Missing… a few finer points on how the cyber works in this novel," 17 June 2018
Just ask Meghan Markle 18 insider wedding tips for a stress-free day, from invites to the open bar Work hard, be true to yourself, embrace diversity and seize the moment.

— julie zauzmer, chicagotribune.com, "Catholics can get married outdoors in two places: In Montana, and now in Baltimore," 16 June 2018
In 2009, the U.S. government accused him of dumping $140 million worth of stock based on insider information about Countrywide’s deterioration, making him a walking symbol of the excesses that led to the financial crisis.

— christina rexrode, WSJ, "Angelo Mozilo Is Unrepentant. But There’s No Second Act for the Head of Defunct Lender.," 16 June 2018
The Andaz family is filled with some amazing individuals who are eager to exchange stories, share their passions and insider tips on how to best enjoy their country.

— lindsay silberman, Town & Country, "The Best Room At...Andaz Costa Rica," 14 June 2018
That familiarity — in an environment that rejects insiders or swampiness — is part of the reason why analysts say McMaster ran into headwinds on Tuesday.

— philip elliott, Time, "South Carolina Elections Show Trump Can Hurt. But Can He Still Help?," 14 June 2018
The Ducks, however, return a wealth of talent, helping the team earn the No. 75 spot in Orlando Sentinel college insider Matt Murschel preseason 2018 college football rankings.

— matt murschel, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Oregon counts on Mario Cristobal to build on success, Ducks are No. 75 in 2018 preseason college football rankings," 13 June 2018

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

First Known Use of insider

1848

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Financial Definition of INSIDER

insider

noun

What It Is

An insider is an employee, director or any other person who is privy to confidential, nonpublic information about a company.

How It Works

Given their position, managers and executives within a company are privy to information about a company's operations that is not available to the investing public. The news and details of an upcoming merger or special dividend that have not yet been announced are two examples of insider information. Once information has been made public by the company, it is no longer considered "insider" information.

Why It Matters

Individuals with access to insider information have an unfair advantage in the market. Using this information to base a trade is an illegal practice known as "insider trading."

It is also illegal for a person with insider information to pass it to a third party so that they may use the information to profit.

Source: Investing Answers

INSIDER Defined for English Language Learners

insider

noun

Definition of insider for English Language Learners

: a person who belongs to a group or organization and has special knowledge about it

INSIDER Defined for Kids

insider

noun in·sid·er \ in-ˈsī-dər \

Definition of insider for Students

: a member of a group or organization who has information about it

Law Dictionary

insider

noun in·sid·er

legal Definition of insider

: a person who is in a position of power or has access to confidential information: as

a : one (as an officer, director, employee, relative, or owner of more than 10% of the corporation's stock) who is in a position to have special knowledge of the affairs of or to influence the decisions of a company

b : an individual (as a relative or an influential party) or entity (as a corporate affiliate) having a close relationship with a debtor such that transactions are not made at arm's length and are subject to closer scrutiny than the transactions of those dealing at arm's length