creditor

noun

cred·​i·​tor ˈkre-di-tər 

-ˌtȯr

: one to whom a debt is owed

especially : a person to whom money or goods are due

Examples of creditor in a Sentence

She owes thousands of dollars to creditors.

Recent Examples on the Web

These types of judgments can often be renewed, giving creditors an extended runway to pursue garnishment even on very old debt. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026

After the broader housing market downturn, Rottlund shuttered and sold off assets when creditors demanded $29 million in 2011. —Tyler Jett, Des Moines Register, 18 Mar. 2026

In 2022, Shandong Ruyi’s creditors took full equity control of the company after the parent group defaulted on a $400 million loan. —Jennifer Bringle, Sourcing Journal, 17 Mar. 2026

If a creditor can't see your credit report, the application will usually be denied. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for creditor

• editor
• predator
• coeditor

Kids Definition

creditor

noun

cred·​i·​tor ˈkred-ət-ər 

: a person to whom a debt is owed

Legal Definition

creditor

noun

cred·​i·​tor ˈkre-də-tər, -ˌtȯr 

: a person to whom a debt is owed

especially : a person to whom money or goods are due compare debtor, obligor

— general creditor

: a creditor who is not secured by a lien or other security interest

called also unsecured creditor

— judgment creditor

: a creditor who has a money judgment entered against the debtor and may enforce the judgment (as by attachment or writ of execution)

— known creditor

: a creditor whose potential claim is known or should be known by a debtor and who is entitled to notice of a corporate dissolution or of a date at which claims will be barred (as in bankruptcy)

— lien creditor

: a creditor who is secured by a lien (as by attachment)

— secured creditor

: a creditor who has a security interest (as a mortgage)

— unsecured creditor

: general creditor in this entry