What does warrantee mean?
A warrantee is the person or entity to whom a warranty is given. In other words, it is the recipient of a promise that a product, property, transaction, or other matter will meet specified conditions. The term is especially useful in legal contexts involving sales, deeds, assignments, and contracts that transfer an assurance along with property or an interest. It should not be confused with the warrantor, who gives the warranty, or with the warranty itself, which is the assurance or contractual obligation. Although modern usage may prefer broader expressions such as warranty recipient or beneficiary, warrantee remains precise in formal legal language. Its rarity can make it sound more significant than it is: it does not itself indicate what the warranty covers or how strong it is. Those details depend on the relevant contract, deed, policy, or statute.
nounA person or entity to whom a warranty is given, especially the person receiving the benefit of a contractual assurance.
- A person or entity to whom a warranty is given; the recipient of a contractual assurance.
"The purchaser became the warrantee under the manufacturer's written warranty."
"The lender was named as warrantee in the deed of warranty."
"Under the policy, the original purchaser remains the warrantee even if the property is later transferred."
The standard plural, used when referring to multiple recipients of warranties.
"The court listed each purchaser as a warrantee under the relevant agreement."
A warranty names the promise; a warrantee names the person the promise protects.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of warrantee
Warrantee was formed in English from warrant and the suffix -ee, originally indicating the person for whom an assurance or protection was made. Warrant came through Anglo-French and Old French from a Germanic word associated with guarding or protecting. Related English forms include warranty, the assurance itself, and warrantor, the person who provides it.
How warrantee is actually used
This is a rare, formal legal term. It is more precise than simply saying that someone has a guarantee because it identifies the recipient's legal position, especially in an assignment, conveyance, or other warranty transaction.
Easily confused with warrantee
The warrantee receives the warranty, while the warrantor gives it.
A warranty is the assurance itself, whereas a warrantee is the person or entity entitled to that assurance.