Shares, shareholders & voting · Core
Common stock
Also called: common shares, ordinary shares
ELI5
The standard residual equity class in United States usage.
Used in conversation
“The draft mentions common stock, but the scope and jurisdiction are still unclear.”
Pitch context
You will see “Common stock” in board papers, contracts, policies, risk registers and compliance reports when the discussion reaches shares, shareholders & voting.
Why it matters: In shares, shareholders & voting, a loose definition can change rights, obligations, approval, disclosure or enforceability.
Caution
Meaning, enforceability and required process vary by jurisdiction and agreement; this definition is not legal advice.
Connected terms
- Ordinary sharesThe search label “common shares” can route to both entries.
Sources & evidence · 8
Direct term-level sources and supporting source families.
- Y Combinator — Safe financing documentsDirect source · practitioner · checked 2026-08-16
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission — Small Business Capital Formation GlossaryDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- National Venture Capital Association — Model Legal DocumentsDirect source · institutional · checked 2026-08-16
- OECD — G20/OECD Principles of Corporate Governance 2023Direct source · institutional · checked 2026-08-16
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission — EDGAR and filing resourcesDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission — Exempt OfferingsSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- Y Combinator — Series A Term Sheet TemplateSupporting source family · practitioner · checked 2026-08-16
- National Institute of Standards and Technology — Computer Security Resource Center GlossarySupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16