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Meaning & use

in trust

phrase·Advancedlegal

Last updated

UK/ɪn ˈtrʌst/
US/ɪn ˈtrʌst/

Meanings

  1. phrasefixed phraselegal

    Held or managed by one person or organization on behalf of another, who is the real beneficiary.

    Grammar: Follows verbs like 'hold' or 'keep' and is often completed by 'for someone'.

    Patterns

    • hold something in trust for someone
    • keep something in trust

    Her grandfather left money in trust until she turns twenty-five.

    The land is held in trust for the local community.

    The lawyer kept the funds in trust while the case was settled.

  2. phrasefixed phraseformal

    Given to someone with the expectation that they will look after it carefully and responsibly.

    Grammar: Looser, everyday use: what you hold in trust is a duty or object of confidence.

    Patterns

    • leave something in trust with someone

    The keys were left in trust with the neighbor during the holiday.

    A teacher holds the students' confidence in trust and must not betray it.

    They gave him the family archives in trust, hoping he would preserve them.

Common combinations

hold in trust
The bank holds the estate in trust for the children.
keep in trust
The charity keeps the donations in trust until they are needed.
place in trust
They placed the house in trust to avoid disputes later.
leave in trust
He left his savings in trust for his niece.
in trust for
The shares are held in trust for a minor.

Synonyms and how they differ

in custody
In custody stresses physical guarding of something, while 'in trust' stresses a legal duty to a beneficiary.
in safekeeping
Safekeeping simply means being stored safely, with no suggestion of a formal legal arrangement.
entrusted
Entrusted is a participle that describes giving a task or object to someone, whereas 'in trust' names the arrangement itself.

Opposites

outright

Word family

trust noun
a legal arrangement where assets are managed for another person
trustee noun
a person who manages assets held in trust
entrust verb
to give someone responsibility for something
trustworthy adjective
deserving to be relied on

Commonly confused: in trust or on trust?

in trust vs on trust

'On trust' means accepting something without proof (take it on trust). 'In trust' means formally held for someone else.

Practice

The inheritance was held ___ for her until she turned eighteen.

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