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

After a lawsuit accused the college’s board of trustees of violating Florida’s public transparency laws, the school took a new vote in December — clearing the way for the state to transfer the land. —Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026

Abshir Mohamed Hussein filed the lawsuit as trustee for the next of kin of Abdirashi Hussein, who court records said was killed on New Year's Eve in 2023. —Nick Lentz, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026

Verb

The challenge had come from two Round Lake-area residents, including Travis Haley, a Round Lake Area Public Library Board trustee. —Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026

All Memphis Area Transit Authority services remain suspended until further notice, said MATA trustee Rodrick Holmes. —Jack Armstrong, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 25 Jan. 2026

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

Rhymes for trustee

• be
• bee
• bree
• cree
• fee
• flea
• flee
• free
• gee
• ghee
• glee
• he

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