beneficiary

[ben-uh-fish-ee-er-ee, -fish-uh-ree]

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.

beneficiary

/ 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

adjective

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

beneficiary

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

Other Word Forms

• prebeneficiary noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of beneficiary¹

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

Example Sentences

‘I’m at a loss’: My boyfriend of nearly 10 years is naming his elderly parents as beneficiaries and giving them power of attorney.

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The Senior Citizens League estimated that up to 39% of beneficiaries rely on Social Security for their entire income.

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If something happens to me, will my beneficiaries be able to get the money, or will it go my credit-card companies?

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My uncle said he had an audio recording of my grandmother saying she would change the will and add him as the beneficiary.

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He told the broadcasters ominously: “Gentlemen, your trust accounting with your beneficiaries is overdue. . . . There is nothing permanent or sacred about a broadcast license.”

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Related Words

• heir 
• recipient