cross-ownership: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, Technical, Business/Finance, Legal
Quick answer
What does “cross-ownership” mean?
The ownership or controlling stake in multiple companies, typically within the same or related industries, potentially leading to conflicts of interest or anti-competitive concerns.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The ownership or controlling stake in multiple companies, typically within the same or related industries, potentially leading to conflicts of interest or anti-competitive concerns.
The situation where an individual or entity (like a parent company) holds significant shares or controlling influence in two or more separate enterprises, often examined in media, telecommunications, and finance for its impact on market diversity and independence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or definition differences. The concept is identical. Regulatory frameworks and specific laws discussing it may differ (e.g., Ofcom rules in the UK vs. FCC regulations in the US).
Connotations
Consistently carries a neutral-to-negative connotation related to regulatory scrutiny and potential anti-competitive practices in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English due to the larger volume of business and antitrust literature, but is a standard term in UK financial and regulatory discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “cross-ownership” in a Sentence
cross-ownership of [industry/companies]cross-ownership between [Company A] and [Company B]cross-ownership in the [media/financial] sectorVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cross-ownership” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The companies are cross-owned through a complex trust structure.
American English
- The conglomerate cross-owns several local television and newspaper outlets.
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable; no standard adverbial form]
American English
- [Not applicable; no standard adverbial form]
adjective
British English
- The cross-ownership arrangements were detailed in the prospectus.
American English
- Regulators reviewed the cross-ownership ties between the telecom and cable giants.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Discussed in boardrooms and financial reports regarding corporate structure and antitrust compliance.
Academic
Analyzed in economics, law, and media studies journals for its effects on competition and plurality.
Everyday
Rarely used. Might appear in quality news articles about media mergers or corporate scandals.
Technical
A precise term in antitrust law, regulatory filings, and corporate governance documents.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cross-ownership”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cross-ownership”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cross-ownership”
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'a cross-ownership'). It is generally uncountable.
- Confusing it with 'cross-holding,' which is similar but often used for the specific shares owned.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not inherently illegal. It becomes a legal issue when it violates specific antitrust or media plurality laws designed to prevent reduced competition, conflicts of interest, or excessive concentration of influence.
A merger combines two companies into a single legal entity. Cross-ownership involves separate companies where one entity holds a controlling or significant stake in the other(s), maintaining their legal separation but creating a controlling link.
Because it can limit the diversity of viewpoints available to the public, creating a risk that a single owner could influence news coverage and public opinion across multiple platforms, undermining democratic discourse.
Proponents argue it can lead to synergies, economic efficiencies, and stronger companies that can compete globally. However, these benefits are weighed against the potential for anti-competitive behaviour.
The ownership or controlling stake in multiple companies, typically within the same or related industries, potentially leading to conflicts of interest or anti-competitive concerns.
Cross-ownership is usually formal, technical, business/finance, legal in register.
Cross-ownership: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkrɒs ˈəʊnəʃɪp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkrɔːs ˈoʊnərʃɪp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this specific term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a crossroads where ownership paths meet. One owner stands at the centre, controlling the traffic (companies) going in multiple directions.
Conceptual Metaphor
OWNERSHIP IS A WEB/CONNECTION. Cross-ownership is the thread tying separate nodes (companies) together, potentially entangling the market.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'cross-ownership' most likely to be discussed?