creditor

noun

cred·​i·​tor ˈkre-di-tər How to pronounce creditor (audio)
-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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Bion has engaged in discussions with creditors but has not reached agreements regarding payments. Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024 The financial news outlet said such bonuses are common to maintain continuity through the bankruptcy process and to help creditors recover more money. Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez, The Courier-Journal, 13 Nov. 2024 The Chapter 11 petition said the company estimated its number of creditors at between 50,000 to 100,000. Vicki M. Young, Sourcing Journal, 4 Nov. 2024 Control of two more, including Whispering Pines, has been given to a caretaker at a creditor’s request in a receivership action brought after loans signed by Shmaryahu Baumgarten went unpaid. Joe Rubino, The Denver Post, 3 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for creditor 

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of creditor was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near creditor

Cite this Entry

“Creditor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/creditor. Accessed 5 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

creditor

noun
cred·​i·​tor ˈkred-ət-ər How to pronounce creditor (audio)
: a person to whom a debt is owed

Legal Definition

creditor

noun
cred·​i·​tor ˈkre-də-tər, -ˌtȯr How to pronounce creditor (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on creditor

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