beneficiary
[ ben-uh-fish-ee-er-ee, -fish-uh-ree ]
/ ˌbɛn əˈfɪʃ iˌɛr i, -ˈfɪʃ ə ri /
noun, plural ben·e·fi·ci·ar·ies.
a person or group that receives benefits, profits, or advantages.
a person designated as the recipient of funds or other property under a will, trust, insurance policy, etc.
Ecclesiastical. the holder of a benefice.
Nearby words
benefice, beneficence, beneficent, beneficial, beneficially, beneficiary, beneficiate, benefit, benefit in kind, benefit of clergy, benefit of the doubt
Origin of beneficiary
Related formspre·ben·e·fi·ci·ar·y, noun, plural pre·ben·e·fi·ci·ar·ies.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for beneficiary
British Dictionary definitions for beneficiary
beneficiary
/ (ˌbɛnɪˈfɪʃərɪ) /
noun plural -ciaries
a person who gains or benefits in some way from something
law a person entitled to receive funds or other property under a trust, will, or insurance policy
the holder of an ecclesiastical or other benefice
NZ a person who receives government assistancesocial security beneficiary
adjective
of or relating to a benefice or the holder of a benefice
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for beneficiary
beneficiary
1610s (n.), 1620s (adj.), probably via French bénéficiaire, from Latin beneficiarius "enjoying a favor, privileged," from beneficium (see benefice).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Culture definitions for beneficiary
beneficiary
[ (ben-uh-fish-ee-er-ee, ben-uh-fish-uh-ree) ]
The recipient of funds, property, or other benefits from an insurance policy, will, trust, or other settlement.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.