β¦ hurried down to see those who were waiting in joyful trust β¦βπ Image George Meredith
2
a
: a fiduciary relationship in which legal title to someone's property or money is held by another person or entity (as a bank) for the benefit of a third party usually for a set period of time : a property interest held by one person for the benefit of another
: responsibility for the safety and care of someone or something : custody
The child was committed to her trust.
We left our pets in the trust of[=in the care of] our neighbor while we were gone.
She has been placed in a position of trust. [=she has been given a job/position in which she has a lot of responsibility and power]
b(1)
: a charge or duty imposed in faith or confidence or as a condition of some relationship
β¦ the sacred trust between bankers, their clients, and the public had been broken in the aftermath of the financial crisis.βπ Image William D. Cohan
(2)
: something committed or entrusted to one to be used or cared for in the interest of another
β¦ no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.βπ Image U.S. Constitution
c
: responsible obligation or office
β¦ too often elected officials succumb to the temptations of greed and fail in their trust.βπ Image Christian Science Monitor
5
: reliance on future payment for property (as merchandise) delivered : credit
NounA hope is more than resolve, and it is based on trust in a divine faithfulness that operates not only within history, but also beyond history.βπ Image John Polkinghorne, Times Literary Supplement, 3 May 2002Put not your trust in money, but put your money in trust.βπ Image Oliver Wendell Holmes, The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table, 1858
Our relationship is founded on mutual love and trust.
His lies and deception shattered my trust in him.
She has no trust in the security of online banking.
He created a trust for his children.
The property will be held in trust until her 18th birthday.
laws limiting the formation of trustsVerbIt is these questions which define the crisis confronting the CIAβan increasingly clear-eyed skepticism among legislators, commentators, the broad general public, and the rest of the world that American intelligence officials, when they are under pressure, can be trusted to call them as they see them.βπ Image Thomas Powers, New York Review of Books, 29 Apr. 2004Perhaps Hollywood can't be trusted to make Hollywood-style movies anymore.βπ Image Richard Corliss, Time, 13 Dec. 2004Whenever Eugenides presses on his themes this way, he bruises them; he stops trusting in his tale, apparently unaware that its very form incarnates its theme better than can any commentary.βπ Image James Wood, New Republic, 7 Oct. 2002The strong man, or the junta or the plutocracy could no more be trusted with a monopoly on power than the commissariat.βπ Image Kevin Baker, Harper's, May 2001Nagumo also trusted in the complicated battle plan for the Midway operation, which called for a diversionary raid on Alaska's Aleutian Island chain, to draw off American naval strength.βπ Image David M. Kennedy, Atlantic, March 1999
Working together is going to be difficult if you don't trust each other.
βAre you sure this will work?β βTrust me. I know what I'm doing.β
If you have a problem, tell your parent, teacher, or someone else you trust.
I should never have trusted him.
Their company is a trusted name in quality appliances.
Don't trust everything you read.
You can't trust the rumors.
You should trust your instincts and do what you think is right.
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Noun
Kelley makes a play for GΓΆringβs trust by befriending his wife and daughter and carrying letters to them, against all regulations.βπ Image Alice Kaplan, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026 How Hegsethβs intervention is damaging trust within officer corps.βπ Image Rufina Chow, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
There are issues, too, if the integrity of the game canβt be trusted.βπ Image Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026 With his approval rating slipping and scrutiny mounting over how his office communicates with Marylanders, this weekβs reader poll asks whether voters still trust the governor to level with the public.βπ Image Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 4 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for trust
Word History
Etymology
Noun and Verb
Middle English, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse traust trust; akin to Old English trΔowe faithful β more at true entry 1
: a fiduciary relationship in which one party holds legal title to another's property for the benefit of a party who holds equitable title to the property
Note:
Trusts developed out of the old English use. The traditional requirements of a trust are a named beneficiary and trustee (who may be the settlor), an identified res, or property, to be transferred to the trustee and constitute the principal of the trust, and delivery of the res to the trustee with the intent to create a trust. Not all relationships labeled as trusts have all of these characteristics, however. Trusts are often created for their advantageous tax treatment.
βaccumulation trust
: a trust in which principal and income are allowed to accumulate rather than being paid out
Note:
Accumulation trusts are disfavored and often restricted in the law.
βactive trust
: a trust in which legal title remains in the trustee who has a duty to act affirmatively (as in exercising control, discretion, and judgment) with regard to the property compare passive trust in this entry
βalimony trust
: a trust created often in accordance with a separation agreement in which property is transferred to the trust as a source of support for a divorced spouse with a remainder to someone else
βbank account trust
: totten trust in this entry
βbusiness trust
: a trust that is created for the purpose of making profit and that is usually characterized by some kind of commercial activity, transferable certificates of interest, existence continuing after the death of beneficiaries, limited liability, legal title in the hands of trustees, and officers having duties of management
called alsocommon-law trust, Massachusetts trust
Note:
A trust that qualifies as a business trust is eligible for bankruptcy protection under chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code.
βbypass trust
: a trust in which a spouse leaves his or her estate upon death to a trust naming the surviving spouse as beneficiary usually with remainders to children or other descendants
called alsobypass shelter trust, credit shelter trust, shelter trust
Note:
The purpose of a bypass trust is to reduce the surviving spouse's taxable estate. Such trusts do not qualify for the marital deduction.
βcharitable lead trust\-βΛlΔd-β \
: a trust in which a charity is named as the beneficiary for a period of time after which named individuals succeed as beneficiaries
βcharitable remainder annuity trust
: a charitable remainder trust in which the named beneficiaries receive a fixed payment of not less than five percent of the fair market value of the original principal over the course of a specified period after which the remaining principal passes to charity
βcharitable remainder trust
: a trust in which individuals are named as beneficiaries to receive income for a period of time (as the lifetimes of the beneficiaries) after which the principal passes to charity
Note:
Charitable remainder trusts qualify for tax exemptions under section 664 of the Internal Revenue Code.
: a charitable remainder trust in which the named beneficiaries receive payments of a fixed percentage and not less than five percent of the value of the trust assets as determined annually for a specified period after which the remainder passes to charity
βcharitable trust
: a trust created for the purpose of performing charity or providing social benefits
Note:
Unlike most trusts, a charitable trust does not require definite beneficiaries and may exist in perpetuity.
βClifford trust\Λkli-βfΙrd-β \
: a grantor trust lasting at least ten years with income payable to a beneficiary and principal reverting to the settlor upon termination
Note:
Prior to the Tax Reform Act of 1986, a Clifford trust could be used to divert income from the settlor, who was in a higher tax bracket, to a beneficiary, often a child, who was in a lower tax bracket. A settlor is currently treated as the owner of any portion of a trust in which he or she has a reversionary interest, and taxes are calculated at the settlor's rate.
βcommon-law trust
: business trust in this entry
βcomplex trust
: a trust under which any or all income does not have to be distributed and principal may be distributed compare simple trust in this entry
βconstructive trust
: an implied trust imposed by a court to prevent the unjust enrichment of one who has wrongfully obtained (as through fraud or bad faith) title to the property or a property interest of another
called alsotrust de son tort, trust ex delicto, trust ex maleficio
compare resulting trust in this entry
: an equitable remedy to prevent unjust enrichment by imposing a constructive trust
βcredit shelter trust
: bypass trust in this entry
βCrummey trust\ΛkrΙ-βmΔ-β \
: a trust which allows a donor to place a gift in trust while qualifying for the gift tax annual exclusion by giving the beneficiary an immediate right to the gift for a limited time after which it can only be accessed under the terms of the trust
βdiscretionary trust
: a trust that gives the trustee authority to exercise his or her discretion in distributing principal or income to the beneficiary
βdry trust
: passive trust in this entry
βexecuted trust
: a trust in which nothing is left to be done by the trustee but preserve the property and execute the purpose of the trust
βexecutory trust
: a trust in which the settlor or trustee has duties to perform (as securing the property, ascertaining the objects of the trust, or making distributions)
βexpress trust
: a trust intentionally created by the settlor
specifically: a trust created by a positive act of the settlor and set down in writing that expresses the intention to create a trust, identifies the property to be placed in trust, and names beneficiaries
βgeneration-skipping trust
: a trust in which the principal goes to a skip person usually following payment of income for life to a non-skip person : a trust created by a generation-skipping transfer of property in trust
βgrantor retained annuity trust
: an irrevocable trust in which the grantor retains the right to a fixed annuity for a set term of years after which the trust assets transfer to the beneficiary
βgrantor retained income trust
: an irrevocable trust in which the grantor retains the right to all income for a specified term or for whichever comes first of a specified term or death after which the trust assets transfer to the beneficiary
βgrantor retained unitrust
: an irrevocable trust in which the grantor retains the right to receive annually a percentage of the fixed net fair market value of the assets for a specified term after which the trust assets transfer to the beneficiary
βgrantor trust
: a trust that is taxed at the settlor's tax rate because the settlor has the power to control the beneficial enjoyment of the trust, retains a reversionary interest in the trust, has administrative powers over the trust, has the power to revoke the trust, or benefits from the income of the trust
: a trust that is created for a purpose which is not charitable and that names no specific beneficiary
Note:
An honorary trust may be upheld where allowed by statute if its purpose (as for the care of an animal or grave) is sufficiently clear. An honorary trust is subject to the rule against perpetuities, however.
βIllinois land trust
: land trust in this entry
βimplied trust
: a trust arising by operation of law when the circumstances of a transaction imply the creation of a trust that is not expressly created by the parties and especially when a trust is necessary to avoid an inequitable result or to prevent fraud
βindividual policy pension trust
: an insurance trust created as a retirement plan in which individual life insurance policies are purchased for employees and held in trust by the employer to fund the plan
βinsurance trust
: a trust in which the principal consists of an insurance policy or its proceeds
βinter vivos trust
: a trust that becomes effective during the lifetime of the settlor
called alsoliving trust
compare testamentary trust in this entry
βinvestment trust
: a business trust that is a closed-end investment company
βinvoluntary trust
: implied trust in this entry
especially: constructive trust in this entry
βirrevocable trust
: a trust that cannot be revoked by the settlor after its creation except upon the consent of all the beneficiaries
βland trust
: a trust created to effectuate a real estate ownership arrangement in which the trustee holds legal and equitable title to the property subject to the provisions of a trust agreement setting out the rights of the beneficiaries whose interests in the trust are declared to be personal property
called alsoIllinois land trust, naked land trust
βliving trust
: inter vivos trust in this entry
βmarital deduction trust
: a marital trust created in order to qualify for the marital deduction
especially: power of appointment trust in this entry
βmarital trust
: a testamentary trust naming a surviving spouse as the beneficiary see also marital deduction trust and power of appointment trust in this entry
: a trust created for the purpose of holding property for beneficiaries whose identities are kept secret
βoral trust
: a trust created by the settlor's spoken statements especially for the purpose of transferring real property as part of an agreement between the settlor and the trustee
βpassive trust
: a trust or use under which the trustee has no duties to perform : a trust in which legal and equitable titles are merged in the beneficiaries
called alsodry trust, naked trust
compare active trust in this entry
βpour-over trust
: a trust that receives the assets that make up its principal by operation of a testamentary disposition to it usually of the residue of an estate or from another trust upon the settlor's death
βpower of appointment trust
: a marital trust that provides a surviving spouse with a life estate in property and a power of appointment allowing appointment of the property to the surviving spouse or to his or her estate
Note:
A power of appointment trust made in accordance with Internal Revenue Code section 2056(b)(5) qualifies for the marital deduction.
βprotective trust
: a trust that attempts to shield assets from the beneficiaries' creditors by providing that it is within the trustee's discretion to refuse to pay a beneficiary or that a beneficiary forfeits his or her interest in the trust upon a creditor's attempt to reach it
βpurchase money resulting trust
: a resulting trust arising where not abolished by statute when property is purchased with title in the name of one person but using the money of another
βQTIP trust\ΛkyΓΌ-βΛtip-β \
: a trust to which qualified terminable interest property is transferred for purposes of taking the marital deduction
βqualified charitable remainder trust
: a trust that is either a charitable remainder annuity trust or a charitable remainder unitrust
βreal estate investment trust
: a business trust similar to a closed-end investment company except that it invests in real estate either as an owner having equity in the property or as a lender holding mortgages on the property
βresulting trust
: an implied trust based upon the presumed intentions of the parties as inferred from all the circumstances that the party holding legal title to trust property holds it for the benefit of the other compare constructive trust in this entry
βrevocable trust
: a trust over which the settlor has retained the power of revocation
βsavings bank trust
: totten trust in this entry
βshelter trust
: bypass trust in this entry
βsimple trust
: a trust under which all current income must be distributed and no principal may be distributed
βspendthrift trust
: a trust that is created for the benefit of a spendthrift who is paid income therefrom and that cannot be reached by creditors to satisfy the spendthrift's debts
βtentative trust
: totten trust in this entry
βtestamentary trust
: a trust created in a will to be effective upon the settlor's death
βTotten trust\ΛtΓ€t-βα΅n-β \
: a trust created by a deposit in a bank by one person as trustee for another that is revocable until the death of the depositor
called alsobank account trust, savings bank trust, tentative trust
βtrust de son tort\-βdΙ-βΛsΕn-βΛtΘ―rt, -βΛsΘ―βΏ-βΛtΘ―r \
Anglo-French de son tort (desmesne) from his or her (own) wrongful act
: a trust from which the beneficiary receives annually a fixed percentage of the net fair market value of the trust assets
βunit trust
: a trust operating as a vehicle for investment whose portfolio consists of long-term bonds that are held to maturity
βvoting trust
: a trust created by the transfer of legal title to shares of stock to a trustee or trustees who exercise the corporate voting rights conferred by ownership of the shares as agreed in the trust instrument
Note:
The shareholders transferring legal title to their shares retain the equitable title and continue to receive dividends and other distributions. They also receive certificates as evidence of their interest in the trust, which provides the holder with the rights of a shareholder except for voting rights.
2
a
: a combination of firms or corporations formed by an agreement establishing a trust whereby shareholders in the separate corporations exchange their shares for shares representing proportionate interest in the principal and income of the combination and surrender to the trustees the management and operation of the combined firms or corporations
b
: a combination or aggregation of business entities formed by any of various means
especially: one that reduces competition or is thought to present a threat of reducing competition compare antitrust
3
a
: a charge or duty imposed in faith or confidence or as a condition of some relationship
b
: something committed or entrusted to one to be used or cared for in the interest of another
no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United Statesβπ Image U.S. Constitution art. VI
c
: the condition, obligation, or right of one to whom something is confided : responsible charge or office
acted diligently in carrying out his trust as chairman of the board
