← Dictionary

stockholder

/ˈstɒk.həʊl.dər/
IELTSAcademic
noun

A stockholder is a person or company that owns shares in a business. Stockholders may receive part of the company's profits and can vote on some company decisions.

  • The stockholders approved the new budget.
  • She became a stockholder last year.
  • Many stockholders wanted higher dividends.

Adinary Nuance

Stockholder is very close to shareholder. In modern business English, shareholder is more common, especially in British English and formal writing. Stockholder is common in American English, and it often sounds slightly more traditional or legal.

In other languages

Vietnamese
cổ đông
Spanish
accionista
Chinese
股东
Japanese
株主
Korean
주주

Etymology

Stockholder entered English in the 18th century, from stock meaning a share in a company and holder meaning a person who owns something. It became common with the growth of joint-stock companies.

Common phrases

stockholder meetingstockholder votestockholder rightsstockholder value

Synonyms

Related words

Frequently asked questions

Is stockholder the same as shareholder?
Yes, they mean almost the same thing. Shareholder is more common in British English and formal business writing.
Is stockholder used in American English?
Yes. It is common in American English, especially in business and legal contexts.
Can a stockholder be a company?
Yes. A stockholder can be a person or a company that owns shares.
What is the difference between stockholder and investor?
A stockholder owns shares in a company. An investor is broader and may invest in many things.