underwriter

American  

[uhn-der-rahy-ter] / ˈʌn dərˌraɪ tər /

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.

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underwriter British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of underwriter

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

Example Sentences

The stalemate was broken when the lead underwriter agreed to continuing covering the airline for a more modest increase in its premium, they said.

From The Wall Street Journal

The system "enables underwriters to respond quickly and proportionately to areas of increased risk", said Roberts, who sits on the committee that updates the list.

From Barron's

A public spat with the Pentagon over “safety and killing” isn’t the kind of headline underwriters prefer for a company that has differentiated itself by putting safety first.

From Barron's

SoftBank Group entities will retain a voting stake of about 91.8% after the offering, assuming underwriters don’t exercise their option to buy additional shares.

From The Wall Street Journal

Bellis, who works as a mortgage underwriter, wanted to be closer to her parents because she has a child and needed more space.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• backer
• benefactor
• guarantor
• promoter