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

Executives arrive with a vocabulary of risk, resilience, and stakeholder responsibility that can sound consistent year to year. —Monica Sanders, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026

Filmmakers, artisans and creatives must balance their time between making art and completing busywork, such as reviewing feedback, wrangling files and sharing footage with stakeholders. —Caitlin White, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026

Groups of stakeholders including terminal operators, cruise lines and union representatives sat at large round tables with green table cloths and floral centerpieces. —Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026

The wide sweeping challenge affects priorities, expectations and knowledge between all stakeholder groups. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 22 Jan. 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