beneficiary

The beneficiary is defined as the person who benefits from something such as a will or a life insurance policy.

(noun)

An example of a beneficiary is the person who you leave your house to when you die.

See beneficiary in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

of or holding a benefice

Origin: L beneficiarius

a holder of a benefice
anyone receiving benefit
a person named to receive the income or inheritance from a will, insurance policy, trust, etc.
Law a person for whose benefit a trust has been created

See beneficiary in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. ben·e·fi·ci·ar·ies

One that receives a benefit: I am the beneficiary of your generosity.
The recipient of funds, property, or other benefits, as from an insurance policy or will.
Ecclesiastical The holder of a benefice.

Origin:

Origin: Medieval Latin beneficiārius, holder of a feudal benefice

Origin: , from Latin, soldier granted privileges

Origin: , from beneficium, benefit; see benefice

Related Forms: