English · Word Candidate

dividend

/ˈdɪvɪdɛnd/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: dividends · dividending · dividended

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A cash payment of money by a company to its shareholders, usually made periodically (e.g., quarterly or annually).

Noun

Examples

On all dividends which do not exceed six per centum per annum, eight per centum; on dividends exceeding six per centum and not exceeding seven per centum, a tax of nine per centum...

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A number or expression that is to be divided by another.

Noun

Examples

In "42 ÷ 3" the dividend is the 42.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To pay out a dividend.

Verb

Examples

He held instead that the words "sell or otherwise dispose of" in Clause 2 of the Shareholders' Agreement prevented the dividending of the shares in Hawker Holdings to the shareholders of Hawker Siddeley […]

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “dividend” mean?

A cash payment of money by a company to its shareholders, usually made periodically (e.g., quarterly or annually).

Is “dividend” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.