What term is used to refer to the owners of a corporation?

The term used to refer to the owners of a corporation is "shareholders." Shareholders are individuals or entities that own shares of stock in a corporation, which represents a claim on part of the corporation's assets and earnings. The ownership through shares gives shareholders certain rights, including the right to vote on key corporate matters, such as electing the board of directors and approving significant business transactions.

This distinction is essential in corporate law because shareholders have a financial interest in the success of the corporation but do not typically manage the day-to-day operations, which fall to managers. Stakeholders, while they have an interest in the corporation's success, include a broader category that encompasses employees, suppliers, customers, and the community, not just the owners. Partners generally refer to individuals in a partnership, which is a different business structure from a corporation.