ENGLISH
REFERENCE

dividend

n. countable
C1 Advanced US //ˈdɪvɪˌdɛnd// UK //dˈɪvɪdənd// div·i·dend

n. a share of a company's profits that is paid to the people who own its stock. It is like a small reward for investing your money in that business.

n. a sum of money paid regularly by a company to its shareholders out of its profits or reserves. Often used metaphorically to describe the long-term benefits resulting from a specific action or investment.


SIMPLE

The company announced a higher dividend this year.

CONTEXTUAL

Investors were pleased when the board of directors voted to increase the quarterly dividend despite the recent market downturn.

COMPLEX

While growth stocks reinvest all earnings into research and development, mature corporations often attract conservative investors by maintaining a consistent dividend policy even during periods of economic stagnation.

Origin

From Middle French dividende, from Latin dīvidendum (“thing to be divided”), future passive participle of dīvidō (“to divide”), by surface analysis, divide + -end.

Usage

Commonly used with verbs like 'pay', 'issue', or 'declare'.

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