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stakeholder

/ˈsteɪkˌhəʊl.də/
IELTSAcademic
noun

A stakeholder is a person, group, or organization that is affected by a decision, project, or business. In business and academic writing, it often means someone who has an interest in the result.

  • Employees are key stakeholders in the company.
  • We consulted all major stakeholders before deciding.
  • The report considers students as important stakeholders.

Adinary Nuance

A stakeholder is not the same as a shareholder. A shareholder owns part of a company; a stakeholder may only be affected by what the company does. It is also broader than customer or employee, because it can include many different people and groups.

In other languages

Vietnamese
bên liên quan
Spanish
parte interesada
Chinese
利益相关者
Japanese
利害関係者
Korean
이해관계자

Etymology

Stakeholder came into English in the 18th century. It was first used for a person who held money or bets in a game or contest, then later for anyone with an interest in an outcome.

Common phrases

key stakeholdermajor stakeholderstakeholder groupstakeholder consultation

Synonyms

Related words

Frequently asked questions

Is stakeholder the same as shareholder?
No. A shareholder owns company shares. A stakeholder is anyone affected by the company’s actions.
Is stakeholder a formal word?
Yes. It is common in business, government, and academic writing.
Can one person be a stakeholder?
Yes. A single person can be a stakeholder if the decision affects them.
How do I use stakeholder in a sentence?
You can say: 'We need feedback from all stakeholders before launch.'