How is an LTD best defined?

A private limited company, often abbreviated as LTD (Limited), is correctly defined as one that sells shares privately, typically to a small group of investors such as friends and family. This structure allows for limited liability protection for its shareholders, meaning their personal assets are generally protected from any debts or liabilities incurred by the company.

LTDs often have restrictions on share transfers, which maintains a degree of control over ownership and limits the involvement of external investors. This model is designed to provide smaller businesses flexibility and the ability to raise capital without the pressures of public market scrutiny, unlike public limited companies that operate on the stock exchange.

In contrast to the other options, a public limited company sells shares to the general public, a government-owned corporation is established by a government to undertake commercial activities, and a partnership with limited liability combines characteristics of both partnerships and corporations, but varies significantly from how an LTD operates. These distinctions underscore the unique framework and characteristics of private limited companies.