1
a
: a natural or legal person to whom property is legally committed to be administered for the benefit of a beneficiary (such as a person or a charitable organization)
b
: one (such as a corporate director) occupying a position of trust and performing functions comparable to those of a trustee
2
a
: one to whom something is entrusted
b
: a country charged with the supervision of a trust territory
3
: trusty
trusteed; trusteeing
: to commit to the care of a trustee
: to serve as trustee
Examples of trustee in a Sentence
Noun
They were named as trustees to the child's estate.
the museum's board of trustees
Recent Examples on the Web
Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2026
Aaron Stockton, a trustee for the church, said a piece of equipment as old as the church itself is to blame.
—Jason Rantala, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
All Memphis Area Transit Authority services remain suspended until further notice, said MATA trustee Rodrick Holmes.
—Jack Armstrong, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 25 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for trustee
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Noun
As is the case in other states, Utah not only puts parents in charge of this complex bookkeeping but also appoints them as their children’s trustees—and all in the name of protecting children’s earnings from greedy parents.
—Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2026
Aaron Stockton, a trustee for the church, said a piece of equipment as old as the church itself is to blame.
—Jason Rantala, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
Verb
The client’s attorney will then include Trinity in the estate planning documents, naming Ceh Becvar as executor for a will, trustee for a living trust, or power of attorney for healthcare or business.
—Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
All Memphis Area Transit Authority services remain suspended until further notice, said MATA trustee Rodrick Holmes.
—Jack Armstrong, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 25 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for trustee
Cite this Entry
“Trustee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trustee. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
trustee
1 of 2 noun
trust·ee
ˌtrəs-ˈtē 
1
: one to whom something is entrusted : one trusted to keep or administer something: as
a
: a member of a board entrusted with administering the funds and directing the policy of an institution or organization
b
: a country charged with the supervision of a trust territory
2
a
: a natural or legal person to whom property is committed to be administered for the benefit of a beneficiary (as a person or charitable organization) : the holder of legal title to property placed in a trust compare cestui que trust, settlor
b
: one (as a corporate director) occupying a position of trust and performing functions comparable to those of a trustee
trusteeship
noun
trustee
2 of 2 verb
trusteed; trusteeing
: to commit to the care of a trustee
: to serve as trustee
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