a person (or institution) to whom legal title to property is entrusted to use for another's benefit
"The court appointed a financial firm as trustee to manage the estate and distribute its assets according to the will."
A person to whom property is legally committed in trust, to be applied either for the benefit of specified individuals, or for public uses; one who is intrusted with property for the benefit of another.
"The court appointed a lawyer as trustee to manage the family estate for the benefit of their minor children."
In plain English: A trustee is someone who takes care of money or property for another person until they are ready to use it themselves.
"The trustee will distribute the funds to the beneficiaries according to the will."
Usage: A trustee is specifically an individual appointed by law to manage assets on behalf of beneficiaries rather than owning them personally. This role differs from a general manager because the property must be applied strictly for specified individuals or public uses as defined in the trust agreement.
To commit (property) to the care of a trustee.
"The court ordered that all assets be committed to the care of a trustee until the minor reached adulthood."
In plain English: To act as a trustee is to legally hold and manage property for someone else until they are ready to receive it.
"The trustee will hold your property until you are ready to sell it again."
The word trustee is formed from the noun trust and the suffix -ee, which indicates a person who receives something or has an obligation toward someone else. It entered English to specifically describe a person legally appointed to hold property for another individual's benefit.