letter of credit
Americannoun
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an order issued by a banker allowing a person named to draw money to a specified amount from correspondents of the issuer.
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an instrument issued by a banker authorizing a person named to make drafts upon the issuer up to an amount specified.
noun
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a letter issued by a bank entitling the bearer to draw funds up to a specified maximum from that bank or its agencies
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a letter addressed by a bank instructing the addressee to allow the person named to draw a specified sum on the credit of the addressor bank
Etymology
Origin of letter of credit
First recorded in 1635–45
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Although ISL’s 2001 bankruptcy exposed the risk of relying on a single partner, the ATP survived because Miles and Scott had secured a $200 million Swiss letter of credit.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026
Twitter was then required to replenish the letter of credit by April 4, a deadline that it missed.
From Washington Times ● Jun. 15, 2023
Though Intrater and his lawyers repeatedly requested the letter of credit, it never materialized.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 20, 2023
A letter of credit could be issued from one bank branch at a certain amount, redeemable only by the account owner.
From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2020
Hugh, here's your ticket and your letter of credit.
From The High Heart by Basil King
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
