share1

 
Pronunciation: /ʃɛː/

noun

  • 1a part or portion of a larger amount which is divided among a number of people, or to which a number of people contribute: under the proposals, investors would pay a greater share of the annual fees required we gave them all the chance to have a share in the profits
  • each of the notional parts into which property held by joint owners is divided: Jake had a share in a large, seagoing vessel
  • [in singular] the allotted or due amount of something that a person expects to have or to do, or that is expected to be accepted or done by them: she’s done more than her fair share of globetrotting
  • [in singular] a person’s part in or contribution to something: she can’t take a share in childcare — she’s a nervous wreck
  • 2one of the equal parts into which a company’s capital is divided, entitling the holder to a proportion of the profits: he’s selling his shares in BT

verb

[with object]
  • have a portion of (something) with another or others: he shared the pie with her all members of the band equally share the band’s profits
  • [with object and adverbial] give a portion of (something) to another or others: they shared out the peanuts
  • use, occupy, or enjoy (something) jointly with another or others: they once shared a flat in Chelsea [no object]: there weren’t enough plates so we had to share (as adjective shared) a shared bottle of wine
  • possess (a view or quality) in common with others: other countries don’t share our reluctance to eat goat meat
  • [no object] (share in) (of a number of people or organizations) have a part in (something, especially an activity): UK companies would share in the development of three oil platforms
  • tell someone about (something, especially something personal): she had never shared the secret with anyone before

Phrases

share and share alike

have or receive an equal share: we all share and share alike in camp

share a moment

see moment

Derivatives

shareable

(also sharable) adjective

sharer

noun

Origin:

Old English scearu 'division, part into which something may be divided', of Germanic origin; related to Dutch schare and German Schar 'troop, multitude', also to shear. The verb dates from the late 16th century