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owner

noun
own·​er | \ ˈō-nər How to pronounce owner (audio) \
plural owners

Definition of owner

: a person who owns something : one who has the legal or rightful title to something : one to whom property belongs business/property owners He and his sister are owners of the restaurant. We were able to return the wallet to its rightful owner. —often used in combination dog-owners and cat-owners
Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about owner

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Examples of owner in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 An account of the aftermath of the attack by a cabin owner in the area was widely circulated on Facebook in the hours after the event. — Michelle Theriault Boots, Anchorage Daily News, "Hunter mauled by bear near Gunsight Mountain," 9 Sep. 2019 The new power plant does not require ocean water cooling, but the lagoon will continue to be dredged by the owners of the Carlsbad desalination plant, which filters water from the lagoon for tap water distributed countywide. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Man pushes preservation of 400-foot-tall coastal smokestack," 8 Sep. 2019 Several people pointed out that a yellow scarf or ribbon should be recognized by other dog owners as a signal to give a wide berth. — Ask Amy, oregonlive, "Ask Amy: Husband plays the role of Big Brother, thanks to smart-home technology," 7 Sep. 2019 Several people pointed out that a yellow scarf or ribbon should be recognized by other dog owners as a signal to give a wide berth. — Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, "Smart home turns husband into Big Brother," 7 Sep. 2019 Several people pointed out that a yellow scarf or ribbon should be recognized by other dog owners as a signal to give a wide berth. — Amy Dickinson, The Mercury News, "Ask Amy: My husband uses apps to micromanage and spy on me," 7 Sep. 2019 Several people pointed out that a yellow scarf or ribbon should be recognized by other dog owners as a signal to give a wide berth. — Amy Dickinson, The Denver Post, "Ask Amy: Smart home turns husband into Big Brother," 7 Sep. 2019 The Limitation of Liability Act of 1851, which was successfully used by the owners of the Titanic, was designed to encourage shipping businesses, according to NBC News. — Maria Pasquini, PEOPLE.com, "Calif. Dive Boat Owners Attempt to Limit Liability to 'Zero' Using 19th Century Maritime Law," 6 Sep. 2019 Several people pointed out that a yellow scarf or ribbon should be recognized by other dog owners as a signal to give a wide berth. — Amy Dickinson, BostonGlobe.com, "Smart home turns husband into Big Brother," 6 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'owner.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of owner

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for owner

beneficial owner

noun

Financial Definition of beneficial owner

What It Is

The beneficial owner is the individual or entity that enjoys the benefits of owning an asset, regardless of whose name the title of the property or security is in.

How It Works

Beneficial ownership commonly refers to two situations:

1. Under U.S. securities law, a beneficial owner enjoys either sole or shared power regarding voting rights in a stock. According to the SEC, this right extends to include stock or securities owned by one person even if the title is held by another person or entity.
2. Beneficial ownership can also refer to a situation where an individual or entity holds the right of ownership even if the stock is registered with another entity, such as a brokerage house. In this case, while the brokerage firm is actually shown as the holder of the security, the investor is the beneficial owner.

For example, Bob buys 100 shares of stock in Company ABC via a brokerage house. Even though the stock is recorded under the broker's name, Bob is the beneficial owner.

Why It Matters

Beneficial ownership is a convenient and safe way of owning stock, especially for investors who want to hold securities without the responsibilities of voting or becoming involved in corporate actions.

To learn more about the best brokers for beginner investors, check out 6 Low Commission Brokers that Make Our Cut. If you're looking for brokers with more advanced trading platforms, click here to read Essential Trade Tools for the Advanced Investor.

Source: Investing Answers

owner

noun
How to pronounce owner (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of owner

: a person or group that owns something

See the full definition for owner in the English Language Learners Dictionary

owner

noun
own·​er | \ ˈō-nər\

Kids Definition of owner

: a person who owns something

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owner

noun
own·​er

Legal Definition of owner

: one with an interest in and often dominion over property: as
a : legal owner in this entry
b : one with the right to exclusive use, control, or possession of property
c : a purchaser under a contract for the sale of real property — see also equitable owner in this entry
— beneficial owner
1 : one holding a beneficial interest in a trust — compare beneficial interest at interest sense 1
2 : one enjoying the benefit of property of which another is the legal owner was the beneficial owner of property held by the parent corporation
3 : one who has or shares the power to control the voting or investment of stock was considered the beneficial owner of stock held by her minor children
— equitable owner
: one (as a beneficiary of a trust) who is considered to have rights or obligations of an owner regardless of legal title on the ground of equity do not have legal title but, upon execution of the contract, they became equitable owners and have power to sue to protect their land — Dessen v. Jones, 551 N.E.2d 782 (1990)
— legal owner
: one who has legal title to property broadly : one determined by law to own property
— naked owner
in the civil law of Louisiana : an owner of property burdened by a usufruct
— record owner
: one who is the owner of property (as land or stock) according to current appropriate records received a tax bill as record owner of the land

— called also owner of record

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More from Merriam-Webster on owner

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for owner

Spanish Central: Translation of owner

Nglish: Translation of owner for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of owner for Arabic Speakers

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