share

1 of 3

verb

ˈsher 

shared; sharing; shares

transitive verb

1

a

: to partake of, use, experience, occupy, or enjoy with others

b

: to have in common

they share a passion for opera

c(1)

: to distribute on the Internet

… anyone you share a link with can share that link with someone else if they choose.

—Jeremy Scott

(2)

: to post (something) on a social media platform

Fans were also quick to screenshot and share the photo.

—Yasmin Quaid

The collective mind-set feels akin to that old adage about a tree falling in the forest: If you don't share it on Instagram, did it even happen?

—Emily Farra

It pulls in words and pictures from news and blog feeds as well as from links that your pals share on Facebook and Twitter.

—Harry McCracken

2

: to grant or give a share in

—often used with with

shared the last of her water with us

3

: to tell (thoughts, feelings, experiences, etc.) to others

—often used with with

4

: to divide and distribute in shares : apportion

—usually used with out

shared out the land among his heirs

intransitive verb

1

: to have a share

—used with in

we all shared in the fruits of our labor

2

: to apportion and take shares of something

3

: to talk about one's thoughts, feelings, or experiences with others

sharer noun

share

2 of 3

noun (1)

1

a

: a portion belonging to, due to, or contributed by an individual or group

b

: one's full or fair portion

has had his share of bad luck

2

a

: the part allotted or belonging to one of a number owning together property or interest

b

: any of the equal portions into which property or invested capital is divided

specifically : any of the equal interests or rights into which the entire stock of a corporation is divided and ownership of which is regularly evidenced by one or more certificates

c

shares plural, chiefly British : stock sense 2a

share

3 of 3

noun (2)

: plowshare

Synonyms

Verb

• partake
• participate

Noun (1)

• allotment
• allowance
• cut
• end
• part
• piece
• portion
• proportion
• quota
• slice
• take

Choose the Right Synonym for share

share, participate, partake mean to have, get, or use in common with another or others.

share usually implies that one as the original holder grants to another the partial use, enjoyment, or possession of a thing.

shared my toys with the others

participate implies a having or taking part in an undertaking, activity, or discussion.

participated in sports

partake implies accepting or acquiring a share especially of food or drink.

partook freely of the refreshments

Examples of share in a Sentence

Verb

They shared the last cookie.

We shared the money equally.

The children need to learn to share their toys.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The Salem Police department shared a warning to local drivers on its website, writing that community members can report traffic violations and request radar reading boards online. —Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 21 Apr. 2024

To share feedback, please visit nytimes.com/readerfeedback. —New York Times, 21 Apr. 2024

There’s also an online comment form people can fill out to share their thoughts on the topic. —Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024

The timing of the arrest led to criticism that Jarecki, his producers and HBO had delayed sharing incriminating discoveries with law enforcement officials for the sake of the series and ratings. —Addie Morfoot, Variety, 21 Apr. 2024

Following the attacks, Gigi Hadid took to her Instagram to share a lengthy message in support of Palestine. —Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Apr. 2024

Check out our voter guide, subscribe to our elections newsletter and always feel free to share your thoughts in a letter to the editor. —Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 20 Apr. 2024

TikTok rose to prominence during the pandemic as a place to share entertaining, short videos without the expectation of perfection that hangs over apps like Instagram. —Steven T. Dennis, Fortune, 20 Apr. 2024

Just as forests and deserts share ecological features, sauerkrauts and kimchis look more similar to each other than yogurt to cheese. —Joseph Orkin, Discover Magazine, 20 Apr. 2024

Noun

In reality, the lion’s share of what’s in museum storage should be in museum storage. —Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2024

The boat club, which sits in the shadow of the DTE Fermi II nuclear plant was started in the 1940s as a place for boating enthusiasts on Swan Creek to meet to play cards, have a beer and kickback, mostly during the hot summer months, has faced its share good and bad times over the years. —Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 22 Apr. 2024

Per the company’s SEC filings, the company can issue additional shares to those who had a pre-merger interest in Trump Media, including Trump himself, if the average price per share stays above $12.50 for at least 20 of the first 30 days it is traded. —Chris Morris, Fortune, 22 Apr. 2024

Plus, low-cost prices allow Turkey to compete in a global market – and take the lion’s share of the industry’s revenue. —Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 21 Apr. 2024

That firm, the African-American Sports and Entertainment Group, is currently in negotiations with the A’s to buy out their ownership share. —Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 20 Apr. 2024

Ellen, who also faced her own share of personal challenges was also grappling with the realities of a child facing serious health issues, and then ultimately undergoing a divorce. —Jasmine Browley, Essence, 19 Apr. 2024

Its offer of 15 euros per share is 21% above the share price the day before the consortium announced its takeover bid and 38.2% above the average of the last 20 trading days, according to the announcement. —Glenn Peoples, Billboard, 19 Apr. 2024

However, shares have been more stagnant since the group reaped the rewards of its COVID-19 vaccine rollout. —Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 10 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English scearu cutting, tonsure; akin to Old English scieran to cut

Noun (2)

Middle English schare, from Old English scear; akin to Old High German scaro plowshare, Old English scieran to cut — more at shear

First Known Use

Verb

1590, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 4

Noun (1)

1539, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing share

• a piece/slice/share of the pie
• bed share
• fair share
• have/share more/less in common with
• have/share (something) in common
• lion's share
• market share
• ordinary share
• ride share
• share a common purpose
• share a stage with
• share one's feelings
• share option
• share out
• share the limelight
• share the wealth
• time-share

Kids Definition

share

1 of 2 noun

ˈshe(ə)r 

ˈsha(ə)r

1

: a portion belonging to, due to, or contributed by an individual

2

: the part given or belonging to one of a number owning something together

sold my share of the business

3

: any of the equal portions or interests into which the property of a corporation is divided

100 shares of stock

share

2 of 2 verb

shared; sharing

1

: to divide and distribute in portions

shared the lunch

2

: to use, experience, or enjoy with others

3

: to give or be given a share : take a part

share in planning the program

sharer noun

Legal Definition

share

noun

1

: a portion belonging to, due to, or due from an individual

a joint tortfeasor is liable for her share of the damages

specifically : the part allotted or belonging to one of a number owning together any property or interest

the share of a joint tenant

his share passed to his widow

2

a

: any of the equal interests into which ownership of something (as a fund) is divided

specifically : any of the equal interests or rights into which the entire capital stock of a corporation is divided

b

: a certificate representing such a share