trustee

1 of 2

noun

trust·​ee ˌtrə-ˈstē 

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

trustee

2 of 2

verb

trusteed; trusteeing

transitive verb

: to commit to the care of a trustee

intransitive verb

: 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

Noun

Townson / Getty Images file College football is more complicated than its professional counterpart in some significant ways, as coaches report to university presidents and boards of trustees in addition to athletic department officials. —Nicole Auerbach, NBC News, 12 Dec. 2024

First United and Jones complained that the trustee overseeing the auction did not comply with Lopez’s instructions in the bankruptcy proceeding, as the bids were submitted under seal. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 11 Dec. 2024

Verb

Judge Lopez has left it up to trustee Christopher Murray to decide what to do next. —Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2024

Rowan called for Magill to resign and trustee Vahan Gureghian did step down late last week. —Matt Egan, CNN, 17 Oct. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1636, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Verb

1818, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing trustee

• co-trustee

Kids Definition

trustee

noun

trust·​ee

ˌtrəs-ˈtē

: a person who has been given responsibility for someone else's property

Legal 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

c

: trustee in bankruptcy

trusteeship noun

trustee

2 of 2 verb

trusteed; trusteeing

transitive verb

: to commit to the care of a trustee

intransitive verb

: to serve as trustee