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

The appointment would come on the heels of a contentious shakeup at UWF since DeSantis installed a slate of new trustees earlier this year, some with close ties to national conservative organizations. —Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 23 May 2025

Arkansas School for Math, Sciences, and the Arts Online Academy NASHVILLE -- The Arkansas School for Math, Sciences, and the Arts will create an online academy, following approval by the University of Arkansas System board of trustees Thursday. —Ryan Anderson, Arkansas Online, 22 May 2025

Verb

The board voted 4-0 to support the project proposed by Will, with abstentions by him and trustee Angeles Leira, who had technical issues with Zoom. —Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 May 2025

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

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