1
a
: a natural or legal person to whom property is legally committed to be administered for the benefit of a beneficiary (such as a person or a charitable organization)
b
: one (such as a corporate director) occupying a position of trust and performing functions comparable to those of a trustee
2
a
: one to whom something is entrusted
b
: a country charged with the supervision of a trust territory
3
: trusty
trusteed; trusteeing
: to commit to the care of a trustee
: to serve as trustee
Examples of trustee in a Sentence
Noun
They were named as trustees to the child's estate.
the museum's board of trustees
Recent Examples on the Web
Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 26 Mar. 2025
The trustees — who include Harry’s close friend Mark Dyer, who introduced him to Prince Seeiso and the country of Lesotho — also stepped down.
—Simon Perry, People.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Feb. 2025
Judge Lopez has left it up to trustee Christopher Murray to decide what to do next.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for trustee
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Noun
On July 21, 2016, the lawyer who co-founded Winthrop Intelligence, the successful college sports SaaS company, signed his last will and testament, naming his wife Kelly the executor of his estate and trustee of his trust.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 26 Mar. 2025
The trustees — who include Harry’s close friend Mark Dyer, who introduced him to Prince Seeiso and the country of Lesotho — also stepped down.
—Simon Perry, People.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
Birt denied that, but after Kelly pushed back and trustee Joni Shaw Smith seconded her motion, Kelly was allowed to speak.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Feb. 2025
Judge Lopez has left it up to trustee Christopher Murray to decide what to do next.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for trustee
Cite this Entry
“Trustee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trustee. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
trustee
1 of 2 noun
trust·ee
ˌtrəs-ˈtē 
1
: one to whom something is entrusted : one trusted to keep or administer something: as
a
: a member of a board entrusted with administering the funds and directing the policy of an institution or organization
b
: a country charged with the supervision of a trust territory
2
a
: a natural or legal person to whom property is committed to be administered for the benefit of a beneficiary (as a person or charitable organization) : the holder of legal title to property placed in a trust compare cestui que trust, settlor
b
: one (as a corporate director) occupying a position of trust and performing functions comparable to those of a trustee
trusteeship
noun
trustee
2 of 2 verb
trusteed; trusteeing
: to commit to the care of a trustee
: to serve as trustee
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