trustee

[truh-stee]

noun

1. a person, usually one of a body of persons, appointed to administer the affairs of a company, institution, etc.

2. a person who holds the title to property for the benefit of another.

3. (in New England) a garnishee.

4. a trusty.

verb (used with object)

trusteed, trusteeing 

1. to place in the hands of a trustee or trustees.

2. (in New England) to garnish.

trustee

/ trʌˈstiː /

noun

1. a person to whom the legal title to property is entrusted to hold or use for another's benefit

2. a member of a board that manages the affairs and administers the funds of an institution or organization

Word History and Origins

Origin of trustee¹

First recorded in 1640–50; trust + -ee

Example Sentences

Mr. George announced Monday he is resigning from the Heritage Foundation’s board of trustees.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The alarming news concerned a shady character who had recently joined the Swanburne board of trustees.

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The trustees have begun to solicit donations to help pay expenses, with mixed success.

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Buchholz shared that in the course of the search process, a number of trustees saw “Kimberly Akimbo” when it was on tour in Southern California.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Less than three months after the audit letter, in early April, the museum’s director suddenly resigned, and trustee defections began.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• agent 
• custodian 
• executor 

When To Use

What does trustee mean?

A trustee is a person who is appointed to administer the affairs of a company or other organization. Often such an organization will have a group, or a board, of trustees.A trustee can also be a person who holds the title to a property for someone else. If you inherit millions of dollars before you reach adulthood, the will might state that an adult manages that money for you until you become an adult. That person would be the trustee of your money.Example: The board of trustees advised us against running this ad during primetime.