stakeholder

noun

stake·​hold·​er ˈstāk-ˌhōl-dər How to pronounce stakeholder (audio)
1
: a person entrusted with the stakes of bettors
2
: one that has a stake in an enterprise
3
: one who is involved in or affected by a course of action
stakeholding
ˈstāk-ˌhōl-diŋ How to pronounce stakeholder (audio)
noun

Examples of stakeholder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But having held discussions with many stakeholders across the game, UEFA knows there is significant and growing opposition to FIFA's scheme. — James Horncastle, New York Times, 30 July 2026 The county will need at least six months to continue research and consult with stakeholders, including the fire chiefs and the Yolo County Farm Bureau, before making any changes, Fieseler said. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026 The imperative for the answers will intensify as AI adoption grows and stakeholders become savvier about separating truth from marketing. — Rochelle Blease, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 Even existing venues that are used to staging massive events will not have the same seating capacity and layout as normal because the Olympics requires special staging areas and stakeholder seating for Olympic family members, media or officials. — Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for stakeholder

Word History

First Known Use

1708, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stakeholder was in 1708

Rhymes for stakeholder

See All Rhymes for stakeholder

Browse Nearby Words

stake driver
stakeholder
stake horse
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stakeholder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stakeholder. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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Legal Definition

stakeholder

noun
stake·​hold·​er ˈstāk-ˌhōl-dər How to pronounce stakeholder (audio)
1
: a person holding property or owing an obligation that is claimed by two or more adverse claimants and who has no claim to or interest in the property or obligation
2
: a person having an interest or share in a commercial undertaking

More from Merriam-Webster on stakeholder

Nglish: Translation of stakeholder for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stakeholder

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