ENGLISH
REFERENCE

share

v. · n.
US //ˈʃɛɹ// UK //ʃˈeə// share
  1. 1 to use together (v.)
    A1 Beginner

    to use or have something at the same time as someone else.

    to have, use, or experience something in common with others.

    Example

    The two sisters had to share a bedroom until they moved to a bigger house.

    Example

    In many traditional cultures, families share large communal meals as a way to reinforce social bonds and ensure everyone is fed.

    Usage

    Often used with the preposition 'with'.
  2. 2 to give a portion (v.)
    A1 Beginner

    to give part of what you have to another person.

    to divide a whole and distribute portions to others for their use or consumption.

    Example

    I forgot my lunch, so my friend offered to share her sandwich with me.

    Example

    The charity encourages wealthy donors to share their resources with those living in extreme poverty.
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  1. 3 to tell information (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to tell someone your thoughts, feelings, or news.

    to communicate or reveal information, ideas, or emotions to others.

    Example

    Thank you for sharing your story with the group today.

    Example

    The whistleblower decided to share confidential documents with the press to expose the company's illegal activities.
  2. 4 social media/computing (v.)
    A2 Elementary Computing

    to post content online so other people can see it.

    to distribute digital content or provide access to network resources.

    Example

    If you like this video, please share it with your friends on social media.

    Example

    The system administrator configured the server to share the printer across the entire local office network.
  3. 5 a portion (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a part of something that has been divided between several people.

    a portion or part of something that is allotted to or contributed by an individual.

    Example

    We all did the work, so we should all get an equal share of the profit.

    Example

    The youngest brother complained that he didn't receive his fair share of the inheritance after the estate was settled.
  4. 6 company stock (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Finance

    one of the equal parts that a company is divided into, which people can buy.

    one of the equal fractional units into which the capital stock of a corporation is divided.

    Example

    He decided to invest his savings by buying shares in a local technology company.

    Example

    The company's share price plummeted following the announcement of a significant quarterly loss and the resignation of the CEO.
  5. 7 plough blade (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Agriculture

    the sharp metal part of a plough that cuts into the soil.

    the cutting blade or distal part of a plough that makes the horizontal cut in the soil.

    Example

    The farmer had to replace the rusty share before he could start planting.

    Example

    Modern agricultural machinery often utilises reinforced steel shares to penetrate compacted soil more efficiently than traditional designs.
    • ploughshare
Etymology 1

From Middle English schare, schere, from Old English sċearu (“a cutting, shaving, a shearing, tonsure, part, division, share”), from Proto-West Germanic skaru, from Proto-Germanic skarō (“a division, detachment”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)ker- (“to cut, divide”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian skar, sker (“a share in a communal pasture”), Dutch schare (“share in property”), German Schar (“band, troop, party, company”), Icelandic skor (“department”). Compare shard, shear. Doublet of eschel.

Etymology 2

From Middle English share, schare, shaar, from Old English sċear, sċær (“ploughshare”), from Proto-Germanic skaraz (“ploughshare”), from Proto-Indo-European (s)ker- (“to cut”). Cognate with Dutch schaar (“ploughshare”), dialectal German Schar (“ploughshare”), Danish (plov)skær (“ploughshare”). More at shear.

Word family
Idioms3 entries

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