meme stock
noun
plural meme stocks
: a stock (see stock entry 1 sense 2a) that experiences a temporary sudden surge in popularity and price due to a coordinated effort (such as a viral social media campaign) by small investors
… 'meme stock' refers to a stock that attains viral attention on social media platforms, but predominately Reddit.—
Andrew Rocco
Andrew RoccoThe theory was that if enough small investors got in the game and drove the stock higher, it would force large hedge funds with short positions (bets that the stock would fall), to capitulate and sell those positions at a massive loss. … that dynamic appears to be driving the stocks of GameStop, AMC, and other so-called meme stocks.—Michelle Chapman
Michelle ChapmanPrice spikes in several meme stocks appear to be linked to the amount of talk about them on r/WallStreetBets, a forum on Reddit, a discussion website whose users are known for mischief-making. From this comes the name: an internet meme being an idea or behaviour, usually a humorous one, spread via social media.—The Economist
—often hyphenated before another nounThe Economistmeme-stock investors
the meme-stock craze
Examples of meme stock in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The next 10 years Despite the apparent froth in the market – stocks at new records, the return of meme stocks, crypto treasury companies multiplying by the day – the current hype around Ethereum seems to have done a 180 from the last bull run.
—Tanaya MacHeel, CNBC, 30 July 2025
The phenomenon of meme stocks highlights the growing influence of online communities on financial markets.
—Ricardo Torres, jsonline.com, 26 July 2025
Several ingredients made Kohl’s enticing for meme stock traders, though.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 23 July 2025
Topline Suddenly, meme stocks — made famous by the 2021 GameStop saga — are back.
—Peter Cohan, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
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Tanaya MacHeel, CNBC, 30 July 2025
The phenomenon of meme stocks highlights the growing influence of online communities on financial markets.
—Ricardo Torres, jsonline.com, 26 July 2025
Several ingredients made Kohl’s enticing for meme stock traders, though.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 23 July 2025
Topline Suddenly, meme stocks — made famous by the 2021 GameStop saga — are back.
—Peter Cohan, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for meme stock
Cite this Entry
“Meme stock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meme%20stock. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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