A stock and a share are closely related terms in the context of investing, but they have distinct meanings.

- Stock refers to the ownership in a company or corporation. When you own stock in a company, you own a portion of that company, which entitles you to a share of its profits, typically paid out as dividends, and a vote in certain company matters, such as electing the board of directors.

- Share is a more specific term that refers to the individual units of stock. For example, if a company issues 1,000 shares, owning 10 shares means you own 1% of the company. Shares represent a fraction of ownership in a company, and the value of each share fluctuates based on the company's performance, investor sentiment, and market conditions.

In summary, stock is a general term that indicates ownership in a company, while a share is a specific unit of that stock. When people talk about buying or selling stock, they usually mean they are trading shares of that stock. Owning stock gives you certain rights, but the extent of your ownership and influence is determined by the number of shares you hold.