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)
vested; vesting; vests
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
Examples of vest in a Sentence
Verb
“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 on the Web
Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Apr. 2025
Harris allegedly continued struggling with police and spit at one of them, which landed on the outer vest of an officer, according to Podgorski.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2025
Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2025
That regulatory authority is now vested in the Surface Transportation Board (STB).
—Glenn G. Lammi, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vest
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Noun
Its silhouette is classic, with clean lines leading the way and cheeky, girly bows breaking up the corset style of the vest.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Apr. 2025
Harris allegedly continued struggling with police and spit at one of them, which landed on the outer vest of an officer, according to Podgorski.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
The remaining 80% — held by insiders — remains locked under a three-year vesting schedule.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2025
That regulatory authority is now vested in the Surface Transportation Board (STB).
—Glenn G. Lammi, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vest
Cite this Entry
“Vest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vest. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
vest
1 of 2 verb1
: to place or give into the possession or control of some person or authority
powers vested in the presidency
2
: to clothe in vestments
vest
2 of 2 noun1
: a sleeveless garment usually worn under a suit coat
2
: a protective garment (as a life preserver) that reaches to the waist
3
: a knitted undershirt for women
Etymology
Verb
Middle English vesten "to give into the possession or control of someone," from early French vestir "to dress with clothes, to give power or authority to," from Latin vestire "to clothe," from vestis "clothing, garment"
Noun
from French veste "robe, garment," from Italian veste (same meaning), from Latin vestis "clothing, garment"
Legal Definition
vest
verb1
: 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
U.S. Constitution art. Ia 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
: 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
Etymology
Verb
Anglo-French vestir, literally, to clothe, from Old French, from Latin vestire
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