Shareholder

How it is used

The British term; Americans also say 'stockholder'. Shareholders vote at general meetings, approve major decisions and often sign a shareholders' agreement. Common types are majority, minority and sole shareholders.

Example sentences

1. The sale requires the approval of shareholders holding 75% of the shares.

2. As a minority shareholder, we want a veto on any new borrowing.

Common collocations

• majority shareholder
• minority shareholder
• shareholders' agreement
• shareholder approval
• sole shareholder

Related terms

• companyA business organisation registered as a separate legal person, so it can own property, sign contracts and sue or be sued in its own name.
• directorA person appointed to manage a company and make major decisions on its behalf, usually as a member of the board of directors.
• board of directorsThe group of directors elected by the shareholders to manage a company and make its most important decisions.
• articles of associationA company's constitution: the document that sets out its internal rules, such as how shares are transferred, how directors are appointed and how meetings work.
• share purchase agreementThe main contract in a company acquisition, under which the seller transfers shares in the target company to the buyer for an agreed price.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

• shareholder · Business English
• shareholder · Management & Leadership
• shareholder · Finance & Banking
• shareholder · Investing & the Stock Market

More terms: Companies & Partnerships

• limited liability company
• partnership
• subsidiary
• joint venture
• fiduciary duty
• incorporate