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.

---

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

---

dividend Scientific  

/ dĭv′ĭ-dĕnd′ /

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

---

dividend Cultural  

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

---

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”; see divide

Explanation

A dividend is a bonus. If you buy a cup of coffee and the shop owner throws in a free muffin, that's a dividend. Your charm and loyal patronage are paying dividends! If you own stock and your company has had a good year, you’ll probably get a dividend — a share of the profit the company pays to shareholders. You've probably also heard the word dividend in math class: if you've got 300 divided by 50, 300 is the dividend (and 50 is the divisor).

Example Sentences

I measured this using the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats index, which buys only stocks in the S&P that have increased their dividend every year for a quarter of a century.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

He likes the $15 billion WisdomTree US Quality Dividend Growth ETF, which focuses on the potential for dividend growth rather than backward-looking dividend increases.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

Investors looking for an actively managed fund should check out Voya International High Dividend Low Volatility Portfolio.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

The ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF, which tracks the group, has $11 billion in assets.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

Presently they reached the crossing at Broad Street where John would turn toward Dividend, and they stood for a moment, both unwilling to end this rare moment of comradeship.

From "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" by Elizabeth George Speare

Related Words

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