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Synonyms

trustee

American  
[truh-stee] / trʌˈsti /

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 British  
/ 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

"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

Usage

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.

Etymology

Origin of trustee

First recorded in 1640–50; trust + -ee

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

However, if the original house was owned by the trust, the sale proceeds would legally need to go back into the trust unless the trust document gives the trustee discretion to reinvest them elsewhere.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

Caruso, a USC alumnus who served as a trustee for years, is also a Mahan supporter.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 20, 2026

Golding is now a trustee with Homes for Wells, adding: "I think in the next 20 years we will have doubled the number of homes we run."

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

“I will use all available legal means to recover 100% of that judgment,” said trustee Thomas Pitta.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

“Back to your seats! We must appoint a new trustee and conclude our vote!”

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.