Contingent Deferred Sales Charge - CDSC
In the context of mutual funds, it is a back-end load charged only when a special circumstance occurs.
Investopedia Commentary
A good example of a CDSC is a charge applied when you decide to move your money from one mutual fund into another company's fund. This sales charge is "contingent" because it's only applied when the funds are prematurely moved out of the original mutual fund.
Related Links
Class B Mutual Fund Shares: Do They Make the Grade?
See also: Back-End Load, Mutual Fund
Also spelled: CDSC
contingent deferred sales charge