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.

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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

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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

Explanation

A trustee is someone who is responsible for another person's money or property. Trustees sometimes oversee investment accounts or make sure a property is being taken care of. Trustee is a legal term that's often used when people write wills or set up trusts—funds that are set aside for specific recipients, usually called beneficiaries. There's also the kind of trustee who serves on a board of trustees, a group of people responsible for overseeing a charity or business, setting up policies and goals, and approving budgets. In either case, people have put their trust in the trustee.

Example Sentences

“Grantors often direct the trustee to distribute funds only when certain needs arise. Those needs include “medical or dental care, tuition and job training, basic living costs like housing or groceries if desired.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026

King Charles III’s younger son and Mark Dyer, who was also previously a Sentebale trustee, are both named as defendants in the case at London's High Court, according to court filings.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 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 imagine you will be, as soon as the swelling in your legs goes down,” the trustee said.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

Related Words

• agent
• custodian
• executor