Final answer:
Dividends are distributions of either cash or stock to shareholders by a corporation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The distributions of either cash or stock to shareholders by a corporation are called dividends.
Dividends are payments made by a corporation to its shareholders as a share of the company's profits. They are usually paid in cash, but can also be paid in additional shares of stock.
For example, if a company declares a dividend of $0.50 per share and a shareholder owns 100 shares, they would receive a dividend payment of $50 ($0.50 x 100 shares).