distribution of earnings to shareholders that may be in the form of cash, stock, or property. mutual fund dividends are paid out of income, usually on a quarterly basis, from interest generated by a fund's investments. Also known as a dividend distribution. Bloomberg Financial Dictionary
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dividend income UK US noun [U]
► FINANCE money that you earn from dividends that are paid on shares that you own: »
You must declare dividend income on your tax return.
Financial and business terms. 2012.