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

Its largest shareholder as of 2023 was Q Investments, a family office that has a private equity firm. — Bob Herman, STAT, 11 Nov. 2026

Paraguayan banking regulations limit how much financial institutions can lend to businesses associated with their shareholders. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 11 Nov. 2026

Costco also announced a $4 billion stock buyback plan, which is another way to return capital to shareholders because fewer shares outstanding means a higher ownership percentage in the company without having to purchase more stock. — Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 11 Nov. 2026

Huang is facing serious challenges, including an independent inquiry by Nvidia's board into the affair, a shareholder lawsuit and questions from lawmakers. — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 10 Nov. 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