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
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Noun
Acting as the trustee of the revocable trust, the second layer is then created. Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 After that, the new combined board of trustees will consist of 10 members from Queens and 37 from Elon. Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 30 June 2026
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 See All Example Sentences for trustee

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1636, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Verb

1818, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of trustee was in 1636

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Trustee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trustee. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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
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

transitive verb

: to commit to the care of a trustee

intransitive verb

: to serve as trustee

More from Merriam-Webster on trustee

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