shareholder

noun

share·​hold·​er ˈsher-ˌhōl-dər 

: one that holds or owns a share in property

especially : stockholder

shareholding

ˈsher-ˌhōl-diŋ 

noun

Examples of shareholder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The stock rebounded after a separate filing Monday showed controlling shareholders plan to increase their stakes through open-market purchases. —Shirley Zhao, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026

Funds advised by Permira, as well as other existing shareholders including Carlyle, retained a minority investment in the firm. —Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 9 Mar. 2026

That predates American asset management company Apollo Sports Global agreeing to become the club’s majority shareholder in November. —Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026

Looking at what investors demand from similarly risky enterprises, let’s estimate shareholders will want total returns of at least 10% a year to hold the stock. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1755, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for shareholder

• officeholder
• beholder
• bondholder
• cardholder
• freeholder
• householder
• landholder
• leaseholder
• lienholder
• placeholder
• slaveholder
• smallholder

Kids Definition

shareholder

noun

share·​hold·​er -ˌhōl-dər 

: one that owns or holds a share in property

especially : stockholder

Legal Definition

shareholder

noun

share·​hold·​er

: one that owns a share in a fund (as a mutual fund) or property

especially : stockholder see also derivative action, equity sense 4c, proxy contest

shareholding adjective or noun