beneficiary

American  

[ben-uh-fish-ee-er-ee, -fish-uh-ree] / ˌbɛn əˈfɪʃ iˌɛr i, -ˈfɪʃ ə ri /

noun

plural

beneficiaries

1. a person or group that receives benefits, profits, or advantages.

2. a person designated as the recipient of funds or other property under a will, trust, insurance policy, etc.

3. Ecclesiastical. the holder of a benefice.

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beneficiary British  

/ ˌbɛnɪˈfɪʃərɪ /

noun

1. a person who gains or benefits in some way from something

2. law a person entitled to receive funds or other property under a trust, will, or insurance policy

3. the holder of an ecclesiastical or other benefice

4. a person who receives government assistance

   social security beneficiary

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adjective

1. of or relating to a benefice or the holder of a benefice

beneficiary Cultural  

1. The recipient of funds, property, or other benefits from an insurance policy, will, trust, or other settlement.

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Other Word Forms

• prebeneficiary noun

Etymology

Origin of beneficiary

First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin beneficiārius, from benefici(um) benefice + -ārius -ary

Example Sentences

Another potential beneficiary: mining-services companies that step in with extra crews and equipment when the price of a commodity suddenly spikes.

From The Wall Street Journal

Edwards Lifesciences is “likely the primary beneficiary here,” given the larger volume of data supporting its balloon expandable transcatheter heart valve, he said.

From Barron's

Nationally, 2.9 million beneficiaries, or roughly 1 in 10 Medicare Advantage enrollees, were forced to change their insurance coverage due to their prior plan exiting the market, according to a new signed editorial in JAMA.

From MarketWatch

He wrote in a note that he believes cybersecurity companies will actually be a “net beneficiary” of AI given the “growing volume and sophistication” of cyberattacks.

From MarketWatch

That was the chief reason imports rose again in 2025, with Asian countries being the biggest beneficiaries.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• heir
• recipient