beneficiary

[ ben-uh-fish-ee-er-ee, -fish-uh-ree ]

noun

, plural ben·e·fi·ci·ar·ies.

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.

beneficiary

/ 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

adjective

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

beneficiary

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

Other Words From

• preben·e·fici·ary noun plural prebeneficiaries

Word History and Origins

Origin of beneficiary¹

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

Example Sentences

Indeed, the Congressional Research Service, in a close examination of the Assets Forfeiture Fund in 2015, found that for most purposes, the fund was the beneficiary of “a permanent appropriation” by Congress.

From Los Angeles Times

You can typically name a beneficiary for:

From Salon

Let’s start with one of the easier things to do — name your beneficiary on your financial accounts.

From Salon

When you name a beneficiary, you’re saying that you give legal approval for that person to inherit the assets of the specific account.

From Salon

To be a beneficiary, one must be registered under the country’s public health insurance scheme.

From BBC

Related Words

• heir
• recipient