debenture

[ dih-ben-cher ]

noun

1. certificate of indebtedness.
2. a certificate of drawback issued at a custom house.

debenture

/ dɪˈbɛntʃə /

noun

1. Also calleddebenture bond a long-term bond, bearing fixed interest and usually unsecured, issued by a company or governmental agency
2. a certificate acknowledging the debt of a stated sum of money to a specified person
3. a customs certificate providing for a refund of excise or import duty

Derived Forms

• deˈbentured, adjective

Other Words From

• de·bentured adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of debenture¹

1425–75; late Middle English debentur < Latin dēbentur ( mihi ) there are owing (to me), 3rd person plural passive indicative of dēbēre to owe ( debt )

Word History and Origins

Origin of debenture¹

C15: from Latin phrase dēbentur mihi there are owed to me, from dēbēre to owe

Example Sentences

Reliance, which has diversified its businesses over the years to retail, telecom and, recently, green energy, said it approved raising up to 200 billion rupees via non-convertible debentures.

From Reuters

Indian regulations mandate that companies raising debt appoint a so-called "debenture trustee" to protect the interests of investors.

From Reuters

These were the kind of guys who knew what a debenture was yet had a feel for programming and knew enough to hire good people and leave them alone.

From New York Times

That wave has also dented the market for debentures, payments that parents can make to international schools to gain priority in the cutthroat admissions process.

From New York Times

Up to $35 million in cash, or cash and convertible debentures in Agritrade Resources, would be allocated towards debt repayment, the source said.

From Reuters