beneficiary

American  

[ben-uh-fish-ee-er-ee, -fish-uh-ree] / ˌbɛn əˈfɪʃ iˌɛr i, -ˈfɪʃ ə ri /

noun

PLURAL

beneficiaries

1. a person or group that receives benefits, profits, or advantages.

2. a person designated as the recipient of funds or other property under a will, trust, insurance policy, etc.

3. Ecclesiastical. the holder of a benefice.

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beneficiary British  

/ ˌbɛnɪˈfɪʃərɪ /

noun

1. a person who gains or benefits in some way from something

2. law a person entitled to receive funds or other property under a trust, will, or insurance policy

3. the holder of an ecclesiastical or other benefice

4. a person who receives government assistance

   social security beneficiary

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adjective

1. of or relating to a benefice or the holder of a benefice

beneficiary Cultural  

1. The recipient of funds, property, or other benefits from an insurance policy, will, trust, or other settlement.

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Other Word Forms

• prebeneficiary noun

Etymology

Origin of beneficiary

First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin beneficiārius, from benefici(um) benefice + -ārius -ary

Example Sentences

They include “unexplained withdrawals or transfers from bank accounts; sudden changes to wills, trusts or beneficiary designations; bills going unpaid; confusion about financial transactions; isolation from family members or reluctance to discuss money.”

From MarketWatch

Among the top beneficiaries of the AI boom are South Korea and Taiwan.

From The Wall Street Journal

His beneficiaries included his fourth wife, seven children, grandchildren and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, which was left $2 million.

From The Wall Street Journal

“The combination of continued corporate AI adoption and growing concerns about the AI infrastructure complex has increased recent investor focus on the next beneficiaries of the ever-expanding AI trade,” writes Goldman strategist Ryan Hammond.

From Barron's

“The combination of continued corporate AI adoption and growing concerns about the AI infrastructure complex has increased recent investor focus on the next beneficiaries of the ever-expanding AI trade,” writes Goldman strategist Ryan Hammond.

From Barron's

Related Words

• heir
• recipient