dividend

American  

[div-i-dend] / ˈdɪv ɪˌdɛnd /

noun

1. Mathematics. a number that is to be divided by a divisor.

2. Law. a sum out of an insolvent estate paid to creditors.

3. Finance.

   1. a pro-rata share in an amount to be distributed.

   2. a sum of money paid to shareholders of a corporation out of earnings.

4. Insurance. (in participating insurance) a distribution to a policyholder of a portion of the premium not needed by the company to pay claims or to meet expenses.

5. a share of anything divided.

   Synonyms:

   portion, allotment

6. anything received as a bonus, reward, or in addition to or beyond what is expected.

   Swimming is fun, and gives you the dividend of better health.

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dividend British  

/ ˈdɪvɪˌdɛnd /

noun

1. finance

   1. a distribution from the net profits of a company to its shareholders

   2. a pro-rata portion of this distribution received by a shareholder

2. the share of a cooperative society's surplus allocated at the end of a period to members

3. insurance a sum of money distributed from a company's net profits to the holders of certain policies

4. something extra; bonus

5. a number or quantity to be divided by another number or quantity Compare divisor

6. law the proportion of an insolvent estate payable to the creditors

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dividend Scientific  

/ dĭv′ĭ-dĕnd′ /

1. A number divided by another. In the equation 15 ÷ 3 = 5, 15 is the dividend.

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dividend Cultural  

1. A payment to the stockholders of a corporation from the corporation's earnings.

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Other Word Forms

• superdividend noun

Etymology

Origin of dividend

First recorded in 1470–80; from Latin dīvidendum “thing to be divided,” neuter gerund of dīvidere “to separate”; divide

Example Sentences

Concerns over its fragmented shareholder base prompted the European Central Bank to suspend certain voting rights and effectively ban dividend payments.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

You can click on the tickers for more information, including profiles of each bank and dividend yields for the stocks.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

Southern Co. is poised to join the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Index after 24 consecutive years of dividend increases.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

Our FactSet screen includes names with dividend yields of at least 5% that have increased their dividend payout rate at least once in the past five quarters.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

He knew there were thousands more, but he stopped there—best to leave things on a dividend of three.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray

Related Words

• allowance
• bonus
• coupon
• gain
• premium
• proceeds
• remittance
• reward
• surplus