stakeholder

noun

stake·​hold·​er ˈstāk-ˌhōl-dər 

1

: a person entrusted with the stakes of bettors

2

: one that has a stake in an enterprise

3

: one who is involved in or affected by a course of action

stakeholding

ˈstāk-ˌhōl-diŋ 

noun

Examples of stakeholder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The financing agreement announced early Friday is with major debt holders to restructure its IOUs while securing $490 million from stakeholders. — Joshua Ceballos, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026

Though classes in the building began in August, the celebration offered a first look for hundreds of campus and community members as well as area business leaders, legislators and other stakeholders. — Rick West, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026

How a company responds can shape how customers, employees and other stakeholders view both the immediate issue and the business behind it. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026

For more than a year, industry stakeholders in Georgia and the rest of the country have pondered how public policy could help jolt the film industry in the United States. — Savannah Sicurella, AJC.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1708, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for stakeholder

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

Legal Definition

stakeholder

noun

stake·​hold·​er ˈstāk-ˌhōl-dər 

1

: a person holding property or owing an obligation that is claimed by two or more adverse claimants and who has no claim to or interest in the property or obligation

2

: a person having an interest or share in a commercial undertaking