The term "investment trust" can be costly and a bit tricky to understand for people who are not familiar with the finance industry. However, there are alternative terms that can provide a clearer idea of what an investment trust is and what it does. One synonym for an investment trust is a closed-end fund. This term refers to a type of investment fund that issues a fixed number of shares which are traded on an exchange, just like a stock. Other possible synonyms include business trust, collective investment scheme or investment company. Regardless of the term used, the main purpose of an investment trust is to pool money from investors to invest in a diversified portfolio of assets, like stocks, bonds, and real estate, among others.