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

Yet some of the big beneficiaries of the Van Hollen and Booker proposals could be taxpayers in higher tax brackets, according to some observers.

From MarketWatch

Lastly, don’t neglect basic estate planning: create/update your will, add beneficiaries to your stock/bank accounts and establish powers of attorney and health-care directives should you become incapacitated.

From MarketWatch

Under the Medicare Advantage program, beneficiaries can choose to opt out of traditional Medicare and enroll in private plans offered by health insurers like Aetna.

From The Wall Street Journal

I’m the beneficiary of a gift from my mother, but I haven’t been able to receive it even though it has been over two and a half years since she died.

From MarketWatch

As beneficiaries of the trust, the men could also be paid tens of millions of dollars each from whatever remains when the claims are settled.

From BBC

Related Words

• heir
• recipient