dividend

noun

div·​i·​dend ˈdi-və-ˌdend How to pronounce dividend (audio)
-dənd
1
: an individual share of something distributed: such as
a
: a share in a pro rata distribution (as of profits) to stockholders
Profits are distributed to shareholders as dividends.
b
: a share of surplus allocated to a policyholder in a participating insurance policy
2
a
: a resultant return or reward
our efforts are finally paying dividends
b
: bonus
3
a
mathematics : a number to be divided
b
: a sum or fund to be divided and distributed
dividendless adjective

Examples of dividend in a Sentence

Profits are distributed to shareholders as dividends. the reward money was an unexpected dividend for our good deed
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.
Yet the Trump administration's plan to shut it down not only jeopardizes those valuable dividends but severely kneecaps us in the pacing challenge that is China. Justin Gest, Newsweek, 10 Feb. 2025 Expedia Chief Executive Ariane Gorin said demand for travel during the latest quarter was stronger than expected, and the company is bringing back its dividend for investors. Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2025 Capital expenditures were $44.0 million, and the company returned $61.2 million to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends. Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 7 Feb. 2025 Taxpayers who must report simple interest and dividends and capital gains and losses can also have their returns prepared at VITA sites. Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 7 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for dividend 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English divident, from Latin dividendus, gerundive of dividere — see divide entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dividend was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near dividend

Cite this Entry

“Dividend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dividend. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

dividend

noun
div·​i·​dend ˈdiv-ə-ˌdend How to pronounce dividend (audio)
-əd-ənd
1
: a sum to be divided and given out
2
: bonus
3
: a number to be divided by another

Legal Definition

dividend

noun
div·​i·​dend ˈdi-və-ˌdend How to pronounce dividend (audio)
1
: the part of corporate net earnings distributed usually periodically (as quarterly) to stockholders in the form of cash, additional shares, or property either as a set amount per share or a percentage of par value
constructive dividend
: a benefit (as unreasonable compensation or use of corporate property) or transfer of funds from a corporation to a shareholder that is interpreted by a taxing authority as a dividend
cumulative dividend
: a dividend distributed to preferred stockholders that is added to and paid with the next payment or future payments if not paid when due
extraordinary dividend
: a dividend declared in addition to a regular dividend because of unanticipated profits or a nonrecurring increase of revenue
2
: a share of the surplus earnings of a mutual insurance company paid to policyholders either in the form of cash disbursements or through reduction of premiums
3
: a payment disbursed to investors from the income of a mutual fund

More from Merriam-Webster on dividend

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