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DictionarystockCompany ownership
noun

stock

STAHK/stɑːk/

Shares representing ownership in a company.

The owners hold stock representing parts of the same company.

Two co-owners hold matching pieces of a small factory-shaped ownership model that fits together, each owning a visible portion; include a small unlettered share certificate with abstract seal held by each, not money trading.
Etymology
stockOld Englishstump, tree trunk, log

The tree-trunk word developed financial meanings by an uncertain route, perhaps through the image of gains growing from a trunk or through a sense meaning “money-box.” Collective wealth and money set aside led to corporate capital, underlying today’s ownership shares.

In context

Corporate Finance Institute3:27
equity financing is all about selling ownership stakes in your company. Okay. Usually through issuing stock. It's like bringing in partners, right? Each with a slice of the pie.
Corporate Finance Explained | Understanding Capital Structure – Balancing Debt and Equity

More examples

  • She sold several stocks from the portfolio.
  • The company issued additional stock.
  • He kept records of every stock purchase.

Forms

stock · stocks

Similar words

share
One unit of ownership in a company.
equity
Ownership interest or value more broadly.