trustee
Trustee (noun) means a person or organisation legally responsible for managing property or money on behalf of someone else. Example: “The trustee released the funds once the beneficiary turned eighteen.”
How to use trustee
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone entrusted with managing money, property, or an organisation for someone else's benefit.
Don't confuse "trustee" (the person who manages the trust) with "trustor/settlor" (the person who creates it) or "beneficiary" (the person who benefits from it).
Word forms
trusteed past tense, trustees plural, trustees singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ released the funds once the beneficiary turned eighteen.
Etymology
Formed from trust plus the suffix -ee, which marks the person on the receiving end of an action (compare "employee").
Related words
Rhymes for trustee
See all rhymes for trustee →Frequently asked questions
What does “trustee” mean?
The word “trustee” means a person or organisation legally responsible for managing property or money on behalf of someone else. In plain terms, someone entrusted with managing money, property, or an organisation for someone else's benefit.
How do you pronounce “trustee”?
“Trustee” is pronounced truhs-TEE (/tɹʌsˈtiː/ in IPA).
How do you use “trustee” in a sentence?
Here is “trustee” used in a sentence: “The trustee released the funds once the beneficiary turned eighteen.”
What part of speech is “trustee”?
“Trustee” is a noun.
Is “trustee” a common word?
“Trustee” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between a trustee and a beneficiary?
A trustee is the person or organisation legally responsible for managing property or money on behalf of someone else, while a beneficiary is the person who actually benefits from that property or money. The trustee holds and administers the assets, but does not own them for personal use.
What is the difference between a trustee and a trustor?
A trustor is the person who creates a trust and places assets into it, while a trustee is the person or organisation appointed to manage those assets according to the trustor's wishes. The trustor sets the terms, and the trustee carries them out.
Can a trustee also be a beneficiary?
Yes, in many arrangements a trustee can also be named as one of the beneficiaries, though they still must manage the trust's assets responsibly on behalf of all beneficiaries, not just themselves. This dual role is common in family trusts.