vest

play

noun \ ˈvest \

Definition of vest

1 a :a sleeveless garment for the upper body usually worn over a shirt

b :a protective usually sleeveless garment (such as a life preserver) that extends to the waist

c :an insulated sleeveless waist-length garment often worn under or in place of a coat

2 a chiefly British :a man's sleeveless undershirt

b :a knitted undershirt for women

3 :a plain or decorative piece used to fill in the front neckline of a woman's outer garment (such as a blouse or dress)

4 archaic

a :a loose outer garment :robe

b :clothing, garb

—

vestlike

play \ˈvest-ˌlīk\ adjective

See vest defined for English-language learners

Examples of vest in a Sentence

“By the power vested in me by the state,” intoned the minister, “I now pronounce that you are married”
vested the power to access their retirement accounts with their attorney

Recent Examples of vest from the Web

MORE READING: About the war crimes trial of the alleged al-Qaida commander In court, Darbi identified the man in a traditional white turban and robe topped by a black vest as Abd al Hadi al Iraqi.

— carol rosenberg, miamiherald, "War-court exclusive: To go home, Saudi terrorist IDs al-Qaida commander," 15 Aug. 2017
Customers see touches of humor and art where someone selling a Planet Hollywood version of Danny Trejo would give them with leather vests and throwing knives.

— joe donatelli, Los Angeles Magazine, "How Danny Trejo Became LA’s Most Delightful Food Story of 2017," 8 Aug. 2017
Naperville Police Detective Erik Richards appeared as a member of the Naperville Special Response Team, which allowed kids to enter their vehicle as well as don a vest worn by officers that fully loaded weighs at least 35 pounds.

— david sharos, Naperville Sun, "Night Out helps Naperville residents 'connect more with neighbors'," 1 Aug. 2017
CORNELIS, the 63-year-old governor of West Kalimantan, a province in Indonesian Borneo, is relaxing in jeans and a stained white vest at a table piled withkrupuk crackers and other local snacks.

— The Economist, "Borneo againIndonesian Islamists open a new front in their war on tolerance," 20 July 2017
The woman was wearing a green vest over a red shirt, with her hair in a ponytail.

— david hernandez, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Man shot, killed in Burlington Coat Factory parking lot in La Mesa," 20 July 2017
Members ride mainly Harley Davidson motorcycles and wear denim vests with patches bearing the group’s emblem, the Norse god Loki, on a green background, according to the indictment.

— alicia robinson, The Mercury News, "How does Vagos Motorcycle Club operate?," 17 June 2017
In a nearly-identical scenario, one of the attackers, a female suicide bomber, blew up her vest, while the other was killed in a shoot-out.

— aria bendix, The Atlantic, "Iranian Kurds Likely Responsible for ISIS Attacks in Tehran," 10 June 2017
Cliven, dressed in a tan hat and a black leather vest, sat in the same white leather chair.

— trevor aaronson, The Intercept, "The Bizarre Story Behind the FBI’s Fake Documentary About the Bundy Family," 16 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vest.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of vest

French veste, from It, from Latin vestis garment

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1613

See Words from the same year

vest

verb

Definition of vest

transitive verb

1 a :to grant or endow with a particular authority, right, or property

the plan vests workers with pension benefits after 10 years of service

b :to place or give into the possession or discretion of some person or authority; especially :to give to a person a legally fixed immediate right of present or future enjoyment of (such as an estate)

2 :to clothe with or as if with a garment; especially :to robe in ecclesiastical vestments

intransitive verb

1 :to become legally vested

2 :to put on garments or vestments

See vest defined for English-language learners

See vest defined for kids

Recent Examples of vest from the Web

Additionally, GM was vested in Isuzu for a long time, and in Subaru for less time, because GM wanted access to those exceptional all-wheel-drive platforms.

— ed wallace, star-telegram, "Toyota Mazda," 11 Aug. 2017
Taylor was granted $9.2 million in stock awards that will vest over time.

— alexander coolidge, Cincinnati.com, "P&G CEO gets nearly 26% raise," 31 July 2017
Who would vest a president like that with 100 percent of their trust?

— conor friedersdorf, The Atlantic, "The Case for Impeaching Trump If He Fires Robert Mueller," 24 July 2017
Unlike other county Republican organizations, the Nassau GOP has a rigid, top-down organizational structure with absolute power vested in its chairman, who for the past 34 years has been Joe Mondello.

— frank scaturro, National Review, "How a Political Machine Crushes Conservatism — and Democracy," 13 July 2017
Although Premios Juventud is ostensibly a youth award, never has the show been so fully vested in new acts or acts who are making awards show debuts.

— leila cobo, Billboard, "J Balvin, Ozuna, Chyno, Wisin & More Talk at Premios Juventud Rehearsals: Behind-the-Scenes Photos," 5 July 2017
His opening gambit was that the Cuban regime would grow vested in the benefits of normalization, and be encouraged to create a more open society.

— alfredo estrada, NBC News, "Opinion: Trump’s Cuba Policy is a Return to Magical Thinking," 19 June 2017
Current employees, including sitting legislators and judges, already vested in the pension system could opt into one of the new plans, but will not be required to do so.

— logan hullinger, Philly.com, "Gov. Wolf signs pension reform bill," 12 June 2017
Further, following those five years, vested retired players are eligible to continue health care coverage, though at additional cost.

— michael mccann, SI.com, "How the American Health Care Act could impact the lives of retired NFL players," 8 May 2017

Origin and Etymology of vest

Middle English, from Anglo-French vestir to clothe, invest, vest, from Latin vestire to clothe, from vestis clothing, garment — more at wear

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

vest Synonyms

Synonyms

accredit, certify, charter [British], commission, empower, enable, invest, license (also licence), qualify, authorize, warrant

Antonyms

disqualify

Related Words

approve, clear, credential, endorse (also indorse), OK (or okay), sanction; affirm, confirm, validate; inaugurate, induct, initiate, install, instate, swear in; allow, let, permit; enfranchise, entitle, privilege

Near Antonyms

ban, bar, block, constrain, deny, disallow, disbar, discourage, disenfranchise, disfranchise, exclude, hinder, hold back, impede, inhibit, obstruct, prevent, shut out, stop; enjoin, forbid, interdict, outlaw, prohibit, proscribe, veto

Other Clothing Terms

babushka, brogue, bumbershoot, cravat, dishabille, furbelow, layette, raiment, spectator

VEST Defined for English Language Learners

vest

play

verb

Definition of vest for English Language Learners

: to give (someone) the legal right or power to do something or to own land or property

vest

noun

Definition of vest for English Language Learners

: a sleeveless piece of clothing with buttons down the front that is worn over a shirt and under a suit jacket
: a special piece of clothing that you wear on your upper body for protection or safety
: a man's sleeveless undershirt

VEST Defined for Kids

vest

play

noun \ ˈvest \

Definition of vest for Students

:a sleeveless garment usually worn under a suit coat

vest

verb

Definition of vest for Students

vested; vesting

1 :to place or give into the possession or control of some person or authority

The Constitution vests the Congress with certain powers.

2 :to clothe in vestments

Law Dictionary

vest

verb

legal Definition of vest

transitive verb

1 :to place in the possession, discretion, or province of some person or authority

all legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States
—U.S. Constitution art. I

a timely notice of appeal vests jurisdiction in the appeals court

; specifically :to give to a person a fixed and immediate right of present or future enjoyment of (as an estate)

an interest vested in the beneficiary

2 :to grant or endow with a particular authority, right, or property

vest a judge with discretion

intransitive verb

:to become vested; specifically :to entitle one unconditionally to the payment of pension benefits upon termination or retirement

his pension interest will vest after ten years with the company

— compare mature

Origin and Etymology of vest

Anglo-French vestir, literally, to clothe, from Old French, from Latin vestire

Learn More about vest

See words that rhyme with vest Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for vest Spanish Central: Translation of vest Nglish: Translation of vest for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of vest for Arabic speakers

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From the M-W Editors

Examples of vest in a Sentence

Recent Examples of vest from the Web

Origin and Etymology of vest

vest

Definition of vest

Recent Examples of vest from the Web

Origin and Etymology of vest

vest Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

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Other Clothing Terms

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VEST Defined for English Language Learners

vest

Definition of vest for English Language Learners

vest

Definition of vest for English Language Learners

VEST Defined for Kids

vest

Definition of vest for Students

vest

Definition of vest for Students

Law Dictionary

vest

legal Definition of vest

Origin and Etymology of vest

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