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

If you list your daughter on a transfer-on-death or beneficiary deed, it would go to her immediately and thereby means the property would not pass through probate, which can be lengthy, public and time-consuming.

From MarketWatch

But, I would encourage you to remind readers to designate beneficiaries on accounts and assets where that option is available.

From Los Angeles Times

‘We’re down to four beneficiaries in the trust — his younger daughter and my three children.’

From MarketWatch

A donor can also make a charity, or multiple charities, the beneficiaries of their fund when they die, which helps with planned giving.

From MarketWatch

Mrs Gifford says they were not informed that by creating a trust they would no longer be the legal owners but instead the beneficiaries.

From BBC

Related Words

• heir
• recipient