underwriter

[uhn-der-rahy-ter]

noun

1. a person or company that underwrites policies of insurance or carries on insurance as a business.

2. a person or company that underwrites shares or bonds.

3. a person or organization that finances something; backer.

   the underwriters of the ballet company.

underwriter

/ ˈʌndəˌraɪtə /

noun

1. a person or enterprise that underwrites public issues of shares, bonds, etc

2. 1. a person or enterprise that underwrites insurance policies

   2. an employee or agent of an insurance company who assesses risks and determines the premiums payable

Word History and Origins

Origin of underwriter¹

First recorded in 1610–20; underwrite + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Dozens of private insurers have joined the flood market in the past decade, writing policies directly or through specialized underwriters such as Neptune.

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She said Cantor has no nonpublic information about the administration’s initiatives and noted that the firm was the underwriter, not the sponsor of the SPAC.

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This set the model for Wall Street’s role as underwriter of America’s soon-booming industry.

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Your order is confirmed when the underwriters set the offering price and other offer details, which is typically the day before the IPO listing date, giving clients the opportunity to cancel if they choose.

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As the primary underwriter of European defense, the U.S. has the right, the ability and the responsibility to lead rather than follow.

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Related Words

• backer 
• benefactor 
• guarantor 
• promoter