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

These components include investments with maturities of three months or less, like money-market funds, Treasury bills, commercial paper and possibly, stablecoins, for which there are no specific accounting rules at present.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

“There is voracious demand for any commercial paper that yields in excess of 5%,” he said.

From Barron's • Oct. 9, 2025

Multiple options exist for parking cash, such as investing in short-term government securities, money market instruments and corporate commercial paper.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2023

Social letters, whether hand or typewritten should not be on ordinary commercial paper.

From Book of Etiquette Volume I by Eichler, Lillian