A certificate establishing ownership of a stated number of shares in a corporations stock. Plain and simple, stock is a share in the ownership of a company. Stock represents a claim on the companys assets and earnings. As you acquire more stock, your ownership stake in the company becomes greater. Whether you say shares, equity, or stock, it all means the same thing.
A stock is represented by a stock certificate. This is a fancy piece of paper that is proof of your ownership. Possession of a companys stock means that you are one of the many owners (shareholders) of a company, and, as such, you have a claim to everything the company owns. Yes, this means that technically you own a tiny sliver of every piece of furniture, every trademark, and every contract of the company. As an owner, you are entitled to your share of the companys earnings as well