Definition

1. Noun:

   • The act of giving a portion of something to others or using something jointly: The distribution or partaking of something among multiple people.
   • The act of communicating thoughts, feelings, or information: The exchange or disclosure of personal experiences, ideas, or emotions.
   • The state of having something in common: A joint possession or experience.
   • A specific technical use: In chemistry, the joint use of electrons by atoms.

2. Adjective:

   • Characterized by a willingness to give or partake jointly: Describing someone who is unselfish and inclined to share.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The sharing of food is an important ritual in many cultures.
  • Online sharing of personal data requires caution.
  • Their friendship is built on the sharing of common values.
  • Covalent bonding involves the sharing of electron pairs between atoms.

• Adjective:

  • She has a very sharing nature and always offers to help.
  • The children were encouraged to be more sharing with their toys.

Advanced Usage

• "Profit-sharing": A system where employees receive a share of the company's profits.

  • The company introduced a profit-sharing scheme to motivate staff.

• "Time-sharing": The joint ownership or use of a property, typically a vacation home, by multiple parties who use it at different times.

  • They bought a time-sharing apartment in the mountains.

Variants and Related Words

• Share (verb/noun): To have or use something jointly; a portion of something divided.

  • We share an office. / He owns a share of the business.

• Unsharing (adj): Not willing to share. (Less common).

  • The unsharing attitude of the child was addressed by the teacher.

Synonyms

• Noun: Distribution, allocation, dividing, partaking, exchange, communion.
• Adjective: Generous, unselfish, communal, cooperative.

Related Phrases

• Sharing economy: An economic model defined by the sharing of access to goods and services, often via community-based online platforms.

  • Ride-sharing apps are a key part of the sharing economy.

• Sharing is caring: (Idiomatic Phrase) A common saying, especially to children, that emphasizes the virtue of generosity.

  • Come on, let your sister play with it too—sharing is caring!

Adjective

1. unselfishly willing to share with others
   • a warm and sharing friend

Noun

1. a distribution in shares
2. sharing thoughts and feelings
3. having in common
   • the sharing of electrons creates molecules
4. using or enjoying something jointly with others