# trustee

/ˌtɹəsˈti/ (US) · /tɹˈʌstiː/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/trustee
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. legal manager of assets

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

a person who is legally chosen to look after money or property for another person or a group.

For teachers: an individual or entity appointed to hold and manage assets for the benefit of a third party, known as a beneficiary.

- The university's board of trustees met to discuss the new budget for the library.
- As a trustee of the charitable foundation, she is legally obligated to ensure that all investments align with the organisation's stated mission.

Usage: The noun is countable and often refers to a member of a board.

## Examples

- The university board of trustees met to discuss the new budget.
- After her father passed away, a professional trustee was appointed to manage the inheritance until she turned twenty-five.
- The legal dispute centered on whether the trustee had breached their fiduciary duty by investing the charity's endowment in high-risk speculative ventures without proper oversight.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.
