ordinary shares

British  

plural noun

1. US equivalent: common stock.  shares representing part of the capital issued by a company and entitling their holders to a dividend that varies according to the prosperity of the company, to vote at all meetings of members, and to a claim on the net assets of the company, after the holders of preference shares have been paid Compare preference shares See also A shares

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Example Sentences

The oil-and-gas producer said Monday that the deal includes a $2.7 billion cash payment, with the rest payable in ordinary shares.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 22, 2025

Trian already owns 20.4% of Janus Henderson’s outstanding ordinary shares and currently has two representatives on the company’s board.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 27, 2025

The food-and-beverage company—which owns brands like Flora and Napolina—said the initial public offering will be made up of new ordinary shares, with net proceeds being used to fund growth through acquisitions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 10, 2025

GSK, which is the second largest shareholder of London-listed Haleon, said it will sell the stake via a placing of ordinary shares.

From Reuters • May 11, 2023

Holders of even ordinary shares began to dream of dividends.

From The Railway Builders A Chronicle of Overland Highways by Skelton, Oscar Douglas

Related Words

• common shares