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 previous bid briefly turned hostile last year after Cintas appealed directly to UniFirst shareholders after being rejected by the target company's board of directors. —Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Jan. 2026

That argument has been ill-received by shareholders, who generally prefer money in hand to a gamble on a mix of stock, cash, and shares in a low-multiple spinoff. —Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 8 Jan. 2026

Today, Netflix’s stock price is trading well beneath the low end of its collar, reducing the value offered to WBD shareholders. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2026

Scott, the company's founder who served as interim CEO after Nolan’s exit, will remain with the company as chief visionary officer and majority shareholder. —Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 8 Jan. 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