# CDS

/ˌsiˈdiz/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cds
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. plural of compact disc

noun · CEFR B1

Stands for Compact Discs. These are small, shiny plastic circles used to store music or computer data.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Compact Discs. The plural form of the optical disc medium used for digital data storage.

- He found a box of old CDs in the attic but had no player to listen to them.
- While physical sales of CDs have plummeted in the streaming era, some audiophiles still prefer them for their uncompressed sound quality.

### 2. finance

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

Stands for Credit Default Swaps. These are financial contracts that act like insurance if a borrower cannot pay back a loan.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Credit Default Swaps. A financial derivative that allows an investor to swap or offset their credit risk with that of another investor.

- The bank used CDS to protect itself against the risk of the company failing.
- The rapid expansion of the CDS market was cited by many economists as a significant factor in the systemic instability of the 2008 financial crisis.

### 3. baby talk

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Technical

Stands for Child-Directed Speech. This is the special, simple way adults speak when they talk to babies.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Child-Directed Speech. A non-standard form of speech used by adults when communicating with infants, characterized by higher pitch and simplified syntax.

- Researchers studied how CDS helps infants learn the sounds of their native language.
- Linguists argue that the exaggerated intonation patterns of CDS are crucial for maintaining an infant's attention during early social interactions.

### 4. military leader

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · British English

Stands for Chief of the Defence Staff. This is the highest-ranking military officer in some countries, like the UK.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Chief of the Defence Staff. The professional head of the armed forces in several Commonwealth nations.

- The CDS met with the Prime Minister to discuss the new security strategy.
- As the CDS, the general was responsible for advising the government on all matters concerning national military operations and strategic planning.

## Examples

- Investors use CDS to protect themselves against a company going bankrupt.
- During the financial crisis, the massive volume of outstanding CDS contracts created significant systemic risk for global banks.
- The rapid expansion of the CDS market allowed institutional investors to hedge their exposure to corporate bonds, though it also facilitated high-stakes speculation on the solvency of sovereign nations.

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