commercial paper

American  

noun

1. negotiable paper, as drafts, bills of exchange, etc., given in the course of business.

2. corporate promissory notes, usually short-term and unsecured, sold in the open market.

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commercial paper British  

noun

1. a short-term negotiable document, such as a bill of exchange, promissory note, etc, calling for the transference of a specified sum of money at a designated date

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Etymology

Origin of commercial paper

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40

Example Sentences

Under the plan, if companies hold a significant amount of stablecoins, those must be disclosed as a specific class alongside traditional equivalents like commercial paper or money-market funds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

In 2008-09, the Fed extended extraordinary support beyond insured banks to investment banks, the commercial paper market, and insurance companies, such as AIG.

From Barron's • Feb. 18, 2026

Cass is dismissive of “debt refinancings,” but some of us are old enough to remember the 2008 credit crunch when businesses had trouble issuing commercial paper.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 18, 2026

"But I think anyone would take a single A Treasury over AAA commercial paper," he added.

From Reuters • Jun. 2, 2023

The third way is to buy commercial paper.

From Readings in Money and Banking Selected and Adapted by Phillips, Chester Arthur