share

¹

[ shair ]

noun

1. the full or proper portion or part allotted or belonging to or contributed or owed by an individual or group.

   Synonyms: lot, quota, assessment, ration, allocation, allotment

2. one of the equal fractional parts into which the capital stock of a joint-stock company or a corporation is divided.
3. Digital Technology.
   1. a digital file or document that can be accessed by specific users on a computer network, as for viewing, downloading, or making changes to it:

      I just sent you a share—can you improve the second paragraph?

   2. an act of sharing online content with specific users on a computer network:

      You can do a video share with friends and family.

verb (used with object)

, shared, shar·ing.

1. to divide and distribute in shares; apportion.

   Synonyms: mete, dole (out), deal, parcel out, allot

2. to use, participate in, enjoy, receive, etc., jointly:

   The two chemists shared the Nobel Prize.

3. Digital Technology. to give specific users access to (online content), as by posting it on a social media website or sending it as an email attachment: a shared spreadsheet.

   to share photos on Instagram;

   a shared spreadsheet.

verb (used without object)

, shared, shar·ing.

1. to have a share or part; take part (often followed by in ).
2. to divide, apportion, or receive equally.
3. Digital Technology. to give specific users access to online content:

   You can share via email, Facebook, or Twitter.

adjective

1. Computers. noting or relating to the practice of sharing online content with specific users on a computer network:

   Add a share button to your site.

share

²

[ shair ]

noun

1. a plowshare.

share

¹

/ ʃɛə /

noun

1. a part or portion of something owned, allotted to, or contributed by a person or group
2. See preference shares, ordinary shares
   often plural any of the equal parts, usually of low par value, into which the capital stock of a company is divided: ownership of shares carries the right to receive a proportion of the company's profits See also ordinary shares preference shares
3. go shares informal.
   go shares to share (something) with another or others

verb

1. troften foll byout to divide or apportion, esp equally
2. whenintr, often foll by in to receive or contribute a portion of

   we can share the cost of the petrol

   six people shared in the inheritance

3. to join with another or others in the use of (something)

   can I share your umbrella?

share

²

/ ʃɛə /

noun

1. See ploughshare
   short for ploughshare

Derived Forms

• ˈsharer, noun
• ˈsharable, adjective

Other Words From

• shara·ble sharea·ble adjective
• sharer noun
• half-shared adjective
• non·sharing adjective noun
• un·shara·ble adjective
• un·sharea·ble adjective
• un·shared adjective
• un·sharing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of share¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English noun shar(e), sharre “cutting, division,” Old English scearu “fork of the body, groin”; cognate with Dutch schaar, German Schar “troop”; shear

Origin of share²

First recorded before 900; Middle English shar(e), sharre, Old English scear, scer; cognate with German Schar; shear

Word History and Origins

Origin of share¹

Old English scearu; related to Old Norse skor amount, Old High German scara crowd; see shear

Origin of share²

Old English scear; related to Old Norse skeri, Old High German scaro

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on / upon shares, on the principle of sharing the profits or losses of an undertaking:

   They agreed to work on shares.

More idioms and phrases containing share

In addition to the idiom beginning with share , also see lion's share .

Synonym Study

Share, partake, participate mean to join with others or to receive in common with others. To share is to give or receive a part of something, or to enjoy or assume something in common: to share in another's experiences. To partake is to take for one's own personal use a portion of something: to partake of food. To participate is especially to join with others in some thought, feeling, or, particularly, some action: to participate in a race, in a conversation.

Example Sentences

By 1984, Heinz swooped in to scoop up Chico-San’s market share.

From Eater

At the time, Mozilla described it as a file-sharing tool with a focus on privacy.

From TechCrunch

Now, Amazon will allow users to share their favorite routines with others.

From TechCrunch

Trina reported that her younger sister was doing “better” and would share more details about what she experienced when she was ready.

From Essence.com

Little wonder Square’s share price has climbed 150% this year.

From Fortune

Cosby conspiracy theorists share a perspective born of a long, pained history of American racism.

From The Daily Beast

We have to share those feelings of concern that the people are feeling.

From The Daily Beast

Mr. Bachner said it had been hard to introduce his work ethic and share his vision with the locals and his team.

From The Daily Beast

Getting men to do their share of care and domestic work is a key overlooked strategy in reducing poverty.

From The Daily Beast

Perhaps it always seems that way at the time, but surely we face our fair share right now.

From The Daily Beast

The foster-child remained behind to share the hut of the political exile.

From Project Gutenberg

Rent, the share of the land-owner, offered to the classicist a rather peculiar case.

From Project Gutenberg

Murat, who had earnestly begged to be allowed to share the Austrian campaign of 1809, was delighted to serve in person.

From Project Gutenberg

It is almost unnecessary to add, that the porter had his share well paid, and that the fisherman got the full value for his prize.

From Project Gutenberg

But Yung Pak was not allowed to share the pleasures and the trials of the boys in the public school.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• distribute
• divide
• participate
• receive
• split