dividend

UK: /ˈdɪvɪdɛnd/ US: /ˈdɪvɪˌdɛnd/ ,(div′i dend′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

div•i•dend /ˈdɪvɪˌdɛnd/   n. [countable]

1. Mathematics a number to be divided by a divisor:
   If you divide 50 by 5, 50 is the dividend and 5 is the divisor; the quotient, or answer, is 10.
2. Business money paid to someone, such as a sum paid to shareholders:
   a dividend of $50.
3. anything received in addition to what is expected;
   bonus:
   The research project will pay great dividends.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

div•i•dend  (div′i dend′), n. 

1. Mathematics a number that is to be divided by a divisor.
2. Law a sum out of an insolvent estate paid to creditors.
3. Business [Finance.]
   • a pro-rata share in an amount to be distributed.
   • Business a sum of money paid to shareholders of a corporation out of earnings.
4. Business [Insurance.] (in participating insurance) a distribution to a policyholder of a portion of the premium not needed by the company to pay claims or to meet expenses.
5. a share of anything divided.
6. anything received as a bonus, reward, or in addition to or beyond what is expected:
   Swimming is fun, and gives you the dividend of better health.

• Latin dīvidendum thing to be divided, neuter gerund, gerundive of dīvidere to divide
• 1470–80

Synonyms

• 5. allotment, portion.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

dividend / ˈdɪvɪˌdɛnd/ noun

1. a distribution from the net profits of a company to its shareholders
2. a pro-rata portion of this distribution received by a shareholder
3. the share of a cooperative society's surplus allocated at the end of a period to members
4. a sum of money distributed from a company's net profits to the holders of certain policies
5. something extra; bonus
6. a number or quantity to be divided by another number or quantity
   Compare divisor
7. the proportion of an insolvent estate payable to the creditors

Etymology: 15th Century: from Latin dīvidendum what is to be divided; see divide