closely held

adjective

: having most stock shares and voting rights in the hands of a few
a closely held business

Examples of closely held in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
DirecTV is in talks to control the combined entity, which will be closely held, the people said. Michelle F. Davis, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2024 Vaughn says that details about the films have been closely held, until now. Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2024 In the messages, the Morgan Stanley contact wrote in February 2022 that Musk’s Twitter stock-buying strategy was closely held. Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 20 Sep. 2024 Planning appears to have been closely held, even within Ukraine’s own government circles. Michael Kofman, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for closely held 

Word History

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of closely held was in 1946

Dictionary Entries Near closely held

Cite this Entry

“Closely held.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/closely%20held. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.

Legal Definition

closely held

adjective
close·​ly held
ˈklōs-lē-ˈheld
: having most stock shares and corporate voting rights in the hands of a few shareholders
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!