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

See Examples For:

commercial paper

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

No commercial paper has been issued as of March 31, the filing said.

From Reuters ● May 2, 2023

By its means they can, if need be, rediscount their commercial paper, exchange their unmatured assets for actual cash, and secure its still better known credit in place of their own.

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