debenture

noun

Meaning

A medium- to long-term debt instrument used by large companies to borrow money at a fixed rate of interest, backed only by the general creditworthiness of the issuer rather than specific physical assets.

Examples

  • The corporation decided to issue a debenture to fund its upcoming expansion project.
  • Investors were wary of the new debenture because it lacked the security of tangible collateral.

Synonyms: bond, note, promissory note, debt security