---
kind: "section"
citation: "15 U.S.C. § 77ccc"
title: "15"
title_heading: "Commerce and Trade"
number: "77ccc"
heading: "Definitions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/15/77ccc"
units:
  - "Chapter 2A — Securities and Trust Indentures"
  - "Subchapter III — Trust Indentures"
---

# §77ccc. Definitions


When used in this subchapter, unless the context otherwise requires—

- (1) Any term defined in section 2 of the [Securities Act of 1933](#17) [[15 U.S.C. 77b](/usc/15/77b.md)], and not otherwise defined in this section shall have the meaning assigned to such term in such [section 2](/usc/15/2.md) [[15 U.S.C. 77b](/usc/15/77b.md)].
- (2) The terms “sale”, “sell”, “offer to sell”, “offer for sale”, and “offer” shall include all transactions included in such terms as provided in [paragraph (3)](/usc/15/2.md) of section 2(a) of the [Securities Act of 1933](#17) [[15 U.S.C. 77b(a)](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a)], except that an offer or sale of a certificate of interest or participation shall be deemed an offer or sale of the [security](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-1) or [securities](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-1) in which such certificate evidences an interest or participation if and only if such certificate gives the holder thereof the right to convert the same into such [security](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-1) or [securities](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-1).
- (3) The term “prospectus” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in [paragraph (10)](/usc/15/2.md) of section 2(a) of the [Securities Act of 1933](#17) [[15 U.S.C. 77b(a)](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a)], except that in the case of [securities](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-1) which are not registered under the [Securities Act of 1933](#17) [[15 U.S.C. 77a](/usc/15/77a.md) et seq.], such term shall not include any communication (A) if it is proved that prior to or at the same time with such communication a [written](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-9) statement if any required by [section 77fff of this title](/usc/15/77fff.md) was sent or given to the [persons](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-2) to whom the communication was made, or (B) if such communication [states](#14) from whom such statement may be obtained (if such statement is required by rules or regulations under paragraphs (1) or (2) of subsection (b) of [section 77fff of this title](/usc/15/77fff.md)) and, in addition, does no more than identify the [security](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-1), [state](#14) the price thereof, [state](#14) by whom orders will be executed and contain such other information as the [Commission](#15), by rules or regulations deemed necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of investors, and subject to such terms and conditions as may be prescribed therein, may permit.
- (4) The term “underwriter” means any [person](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-2) who has purchased from an [issuer](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-4) with a view to, or [offers](#2) or [sells](#2) for an [issuer](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-4) in connection with, the distribution of any [security](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-1), or participates or has a direct or indirect participation in any such undertaking, or participates or has a participation in the direct or indirect underwriting of any such undertaking; but such term shall not include a [person](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-2) whose interest is limited to a [commission](#15) from an underwriter or [dealer](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-12) not in excess of the usual and customary distributors’ or sellers’ [commission](#15).
- (5) The term “director” means any director of a corporation, or any individual performing similar functions with respect to any organization whether incorporated or unincorporated.
- (6) The term “executive officer” means the president, every vice president, every [trust](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-2) officer, the cashier, the secretary, and the treasurer of a corporation, and any individual customarily performing similar functions with respect to any organization whether incorporated or unincorporated, but shall not include the chairman of the board of [directors](#5).
- (7) The term “indenture” means any mortgage, deed of [trust](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-2), [trust](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-2) or other indenture, or similar instrument or [agreement](/usc/15/7a.md?p=2) (including any supplement or amendment to any of the foregoing), under which [securities](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-1) are outstanding or are to be issued, whether or not any property, real or personal, is, or is to be, pledged, mortgaged, assigned, or conveyed thereunder.
- (8) The term “application” or “application for qualification” means the application provided for in [section 77eee of this title](/usc/15/77eee.md) or [section 77ggg of this title](/usc/15/77ggg.md), and includes any amendment thereto and any report, document, or memorandum accompanying such application or incorporated therein by reference.
- (9) The term “indenture to be qualified” means (A) the [indenture](#7) under which there has been or is to be issued a [security](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-1) in respect of which a particular [registration statement](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-8) has been filed, or (B) the [indenture](#7) in respect of which a particular [application](#8) has been filed.
- (10) The term “indenture trustee” means each trustee under the [indenture to be qualified](#9), and each successor trustee.
- (11) The term “indenture security” means any [security](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-1) issued or issuable under the [indenture to be qualified](#9).
- (12) The term “obligor”, when used with respect to any such [indenture security](#11), means every [person](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-2) (including a guarantor) who is liable thereon, and, if such [security](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-1) is a certificate of interest or participation, such term means also every [person](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-2) (including a guarantor) who is liable upon the [security](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-1) or [securities](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-1) in which such certificate evidences an interest or participation; but such term shall not include the trustee under an [indenture](#7) under which certificates of interest or participation, equipment [trust](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-2) certificates, or like [securities](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-1) are outstanding.
- (13) The term “paying agent”, when used with respect to any such [indenture security](#11), means any [person](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-2) authorized by an [obligor](#12) thereon (A) to pay the principal of or interest on such [security](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-1) on behalf of such [obligor](#12), or (B) if such [security](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-1) is a certificate of interest or participation, equipment [trust](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-2) certificate, or like [security](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-1), to make such payment on behalf of the trustee.
- (14) The term “State” means any State of the United States.
- (15) The term “Commission” means the [Securities](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-1) and Exchange Commission.
- (16) The term “voting security” means any [security](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-1) presently entitling the owner or holder thereof to vote in the direction or management of the affairs of a [person](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-2), or any [security](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-1) issued under or pursuant to any [trust](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-2), [agreement](/usc/15/7a.md?p=2), or arrangement whereby a trustee or trustees or agent or agents for the owner or holder of such [security](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-1) are presently entitled to vote in the direction or management of the affairs of a [person](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-2); and a specified percentage of the voting securities of a [person](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-2) means such amount of the outstanding voting securities of such [person](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-2) as entitles the holder or holders thereof to cast such specified percentage of the aggregate votes which the holders of all the outstanding voting securities of such [person](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-2) are entitled to cast in the direction or management of the affairs of such [person](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-2).
- (17) The terms “Securities Act of 1933” [[15 U.S.C. 77a](/usc/15/77a.md) et seq.] and “Securities Exchange Act of 1934” [[15 U.S.C. 78a](/usc/15/78a.md) et seq.] shall be deemed to refer, respectively, to such Acts, as amended, whether amended prior to or after the enactment of this subchapter.
- (18) The term “Bankruptcy Act” means the Bankruptcy Act or title 11.

## Source credit

(May 27, 1933, ch. 38, title III, § 303, as added Aug. 3, 1939, ch. 411, 53 Stat. 1151; amended Aug. 10, 1954, ch. 667, title III, § 301, 68 Stat. 686; Pub. L. 95–598, title III, § 307, Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2674; Pub. L. 100–181, title V, §§ 501, 502, Dec. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 1260; Pub. L. 101–550, title IV, § 402, Nov. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 2722; Pub. L. 105–353, title III, § 301(e)(1), Nov. 3, 1998, 112 Stat. 3237; Pub. L. 111–203, title IX, § 986(b)(1), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1935.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Securities Act of 1933, referred to in pars. (3) and (17), is act May 27, 1933, ch. 38, title I, 48 Stat. 74, which is classified generally to subchapter I (§ 77a et seq.) of this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 77a of this title and Tables.

The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, referred to in par. (17), is act June 6, 1934, ch. 404, 48 Stat. 881, which is classified principally to chapter 2B (§ 78a et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 78a of this title and Tables.

The Bankruptcy Act, referred to in par. (18), is act July 1, 1898, ch. 541, 30 Stat. 544, which was classified generally to former Title 11, Bankruptcy. The Act was repealed effective Oct. 1, 1979, by Pub. L. 95–598, §§ 401(a), 402(a), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2682, section 101 of which enacted revised Title 11.

### Amendments

2010—Par. (17). Pub. L. 111–203 added par. (17) and struck out former par. (17) which read as follows: “The terms ‘Securities Act of 1933,’ ‘Securities Exchange Act of 1934,’ and ‘Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935’ shall be deemed to refer, respectively, to such Acts, as amended, whether amended prior to or after the enactment of this subchapter.”

1998—Pars. (2), (3). Pub. L. 105–353 substituted “section 2(a)” for “section 2”.

1990—Par. (8). Pub. L. 101–550 inserted “section 77eee of this title or” after “provided for in”.

1987—Par. (4). Pub. L. 100–181, § 501, substituted “undertaking” for “undertakng”.

Par. (12). Pub. L. 100–181, § 502, inserted “(including a guarantor)” after “person” in two places.

1978—Par. (18). Pub. L. 95–598 substituted “Bankruptcy Act or title 11” for “Act entitled ‘An Act to establish a uniform system of bankruptcy throughout the United States’, approved July 1, 1898, as amended, whether amended prior to or after August 3, 1939”.

1954—Pars. (1) to (4). Act Aug. 10, 1954, made formal changes in order to conform to amendments made by act Aug. 10, 1954, to sections 77b, 77e, and 77j of this title.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2010 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 111–203 effective 1 day after July 21, 2010, except as otherwise provided, see section 4 of Pub. L. 111–203, set out as an Effective Date note under section 5301 of Title 12, Banks and Banking.

### Effective Date of 1978 Amendment

Amendment effective Oct. 1, 1979, see section 402(a) of Pub. L. 95–598 set out as an Effective Date note preceding section 101 of Title 11, Bankruptcy.

### Effective Date of 1954 Amendment

Amendment by act Aug. 10, 1954, effective 60 days after Aug. 10, 1954, see note under section 77b of this title.

### Executive Documents

### Transfer of Functions

For transfer of functions of Securities and Exchange Commission, with certain exceptions, to Chairman of such Commission, see Reorg. Plan No. 10 of 1950, §§ 1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3175, 64 Stat. 1265, set out under section 78d of this title.