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

But it was also unpopular among the bloc’s richest nations that are the underwriters of such debt, and net contributors to the bloc’s spending.

From New York Times

State Attorney General Letitia James’ office filed papers giving Trump’s lawyers or the bond underwriter 10 days to “justify” the bond — essentially, to show that the company can make good on it.

From Seattle Times

The court ruled after Trump’s lawyers complained it was “a practical impossibility” to get an underwriter to sign off on a bond for the $454 million, plus interest, that he owes.

From Seattle Times

They said potential underwriters were requiring 120% of the judgment, or over $557 million, in collateral and would take only cash or other liquid assets, not real estate.

From Seattle Times

Citizens is Florida’s largest underwriter of home insurance policies, with 1.2 million policies at the end of last year.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• backer
• benefactor
• guarantor
• promoter