First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1trust
noun \ˈtrəst\
: belief that someone or something is reliable, good, honest, effective, etc.
: an arrangement in which someone's property or money is legally held or managed by someone else or by an organization (such as a bank) for usually a set period of time
: an organization that results from the creation of a trust
Full Definition of TRUST
1
a : assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something b : one in which confidence is placed
2
a : dependence on something future or contingent : hope b : reliance on future payment for property (as merchandise) delivered : credit <bought furniture on trust>
3
a : a property interest held by one person for the benefit of another b : a combination of firms or corporations formed by a legal agreement; especially : one that reduces or threatens to reduce competition
4
archaic : trustworthiness
5
a (1) : a charge or duty imposed in faith or confidence or as a condition of some relationship (2) : something committed or entrusted to one to be used or cared for in the interest of another b : responsible charge or office c : care, custody <the child committed to her trust>
— in trust
: in the care or possession of a trustee
See trust defined for English-language learners
See trust defined for kids
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Examples of TRUST
- A 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. —John Polkinghorne, Times Literary Supplement, 3 May 2002
- Put not your trust in money, but put your money in trust. —Oliver Wendell Holmes, The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table1858
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Origin of TRUST
Middle English, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse traust trust; akin to Old English trēowe faithful — more at true
2trust
verb \ˈtrəst\
: to believe that someone or something is reliable, good, honest, effective, etc. : to have confidence in (someone or something)
: to believe that something is true or correct
: to hope or expect that something is true or will happen
Full Definition of TRUST
intransitive verb1
a : to place confidence : depend <trust in God> <trust to luck> b : to be confident : hope
2
: to sell or deliver on credit
transitive verb
1
2
a : to rely on the truthfulness or accuracy of : believe <trust a rumor> b : to place confidence in : rely on <a friend you can trust> c : to hope or expect confidently <trusts that the problem will be resolved soon>
3
: to extend credit to
— trust·abil·i·ty \ˌtrəs-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun
— trust·able \ˈtrəs-tə-bəl\ adjective
— trust·er noun
— trust·ing·ly \ˈtrəs-tiŋ-lē\ adverb
— trust·ing·ness noun
See trust defined for English-language learners
Examples of TRUST
- It is these questions which define the crisis confronting the CIA—an 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. —Thomas Powers, New York Review of Books, 29 Apr. 2004
- Perhaps Hollywood can't be trusted to make Hollywood-style movies anymore. —Richard Corliss, Time, 13 Dec. 2004
- Whenever 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. —James Wood, New Republic, 7 Oct. 2002
- The strong man, or the junta or the plutocracy could no more be trusted with a monopoly on power than the commissariat. —Kevin Baker, Harper's, May 2001
- Nagumo 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. —David M. Kennedy, Atlantic, March 1999
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Origin of TRUST
(see 1trust)
First Known Use: 13th century
TRUSTABILITY Defined for Kids
1trust
verb \ˈtrəst\
trust·edtrust·ing
Definition of TRUST for Kids
1
: to rely on or on the truth of : believe <I wouldn't trust anything he says.>
2
: to place confidence in someone or something <She doesn't trust the car to get us home.>
3
: to be confident : hope <“I trust you will not damage your gown this time.” — Gail Carson Levine, Ella Enchanted>
2trust
noun
Definition of TRUST for Kids
1
: firm belief in the character, strength, or truth of someone or something <He placed his trust in me.>
2
: a person or thing in which confidence is placed
3
: confident hope <I waited in trust of their return.>
4
: a property interest held by one person or organization (as a bank) for the benefit of another
5
: a combination of firms or corporations formed by a legal agreement and often held to reduce competition
6
: an organization in which money is held or managed by someone for the benefit of another or others
7
: responsibility for safety and well-being <I left my cat in the trust of neighbors.>
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