# divestment

/daɪˈvɛsmənt/ (US) · /daɪvˈɛstmənt/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/divestment
Updated: 2026-10-14

## Definition

selling investments, property, or parts of a business that you own, often for financial or political reasons.

For teachers: the sale or disposal of assets, subsidiaries, or investments, often to improve financial performance, reduce debt, or achieve ethical or political objectives.

## Examples

- The company plans a divestment of its old factories.
- The university announced the divestment of its fossil fuel shares after student protests.
- After years of pressure from activists, the pension fund completed its divestment from tobacco holdings, accepting short-term losses to align its portfolio with long-term ethical commitments.

## Usage notes

- Often followed by 'of' or 'from' to specify the asset sold.

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