plural trusts
1
: belief that someone or something is reliable, good, honest, effective, etc.
Our relationship is founded on mutual love and trust.
His lies and deception shattered my trust in him.
She has no trust in the security of online banking.
He placed/put his trust in [=trusted] his closest friends and few others.
She betrayed my trust.
2
a
: an arrangement in which someone's property or money is legally held or managed by someone else or by an organization (such as a bank) for usually a set period of time
He created a trust for his children.
The property will be held in trust until her 18th birthday.
b
: an organization that results from the creation of a trust
a charitable trust
3
chiefly US
: a group of companies that work together to try to control an industry by reducing competition
laws limiting the formation of trusts
4
: responsibility for the safety and care of someone or something
The child was committed to his trust.
We left our pets in the trust of [=in the care of] our neighbor while we were gone.
She has been placed in a position of trust. [=she has been given a job/position in which she has a lot of responsibility and power]
trusts; trusted; trusting
1
a
: to believe that someone or something is reliable, good, honest, effective, etc. : to have confidence in (someone or something)
Working together is going to be difficult if you don't trust each other.
"Are you sure this will work?" "Trust me. I know what I'm doing."
I trust him to do the right thing. [=I believe that he will do the right thing because I trust him]
If you have a problem, tell your parent, teacher, or someone else you trust.
I should never have trusted him.
Their company is a trusted name in quality appliances.
I don't trust that ladder. [=I don't think that ladder is safe]
She got her cast taken off, but she doesn't quite trust her leg yet. [=she doesn't feel confident that her leg is completely strong/healthy yet]
b
: to believe that something is true or correct
Don't trust everything you read.
You can't trust the rumors.
You should trust your instincts/judgment and do what you think is right.
You can trust her word. [=you can believe that she will do what she says she will do and that what she says is true]
2
somewhat formal
: to hope or expect that something is true or will happen
—often used to politely tell someone what you think they should do
I trust that you'll pay me for the broken window.
All of this will be cleaned up by the time I get back, I trust.
Cite this Entry
“Trust.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/trust. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
Copy Citation
