dividend

[div-i-dend]

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.

dividend

/ 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

dividend

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

dividend

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

Other Word Forms

• superdividend noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dividend¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of dividend¹

C15: from Latin dīvidendum what is to be divided; see _divide

Example Sentences

For high earners, the 3.8% net investment-income tax applies to returns including interest, dividends, capital gains, rental and royalty income, and collectibles for certain individuals.

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Coal companies are also unlikely to maintain their historically high dividend yields, they add, thanks to the earnings revisions.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It is an example of Chelsea's ultra long-term approach paying dividends, and their willingness to trust young players.

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Meanwhile, its benchmark’s return sank to 20.7% after taxes because of the taxes on its dividends.

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Investors are concerned about Strategy’s ability to service its preferred dividends and debt interest costs, considering it has little income to make those payments.

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Related Words

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