Phrase guide

cy pres

noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /siː.pɹeɪ/

1

noun

Meaning 1

In the law governing charitable trusts, the doctrine that a court may direct the funds of the trust to a best alternative, to be chosen when the original beneficiary or direction is no longer possible or practicable, e.g. because it has ceased to exist or was ambiguously named.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

Topics: law

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

In the law governing class action lawsuits, the doctrine that a court may direct the residue of the monetary award to a recipient such as a charity, if funds remain once payments to the identifiable class members have been completed and other expenses paid.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

Topics: law

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

a rule that when literal compliance is impossible the intention of a donor or testator should be carried out as nearly as possible

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: rule of cy pres, cy pres doctrine

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: rule, regulation

History

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman cy pres (“as close”) (i.e. as close as possible), equivalent to Modern French si près or aussi près.

Across languages

Translations

2 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: aussi-près — legal doctrine
  • French: principe de l'aussi-près — legal doctrine