Zero coupon bond
A long-term debt security which does not pay interest. Instead it trades at a deep discount on the major exchanges and fluctuates more in price than coupon bonds. Investors make money by redeeming the bond at its face value when it matures. Zero coupon bonds are considered more risky than regular bonds because if the issuer defaults, the investor has not even received interest payments and therefore loses more money.
This definition is for general information purposes only