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
Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
If that still doesn’t feel like enough coverage, add a vest or blazer as an extra layer.
—Bianca Lambert, Glamour, 24 June 2025
Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 June 2025
This obscure law vested NOAA with the authority to issue permits for mining beyond American jurisdiction until an international regime was put in place.
—Time, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for vest
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Noun
In Brooklyn, at the back entrance of the Barclays Center, Breanna Stewart, forward for the New York Liberty, walks through the industrial tunnel near the loading buses wearing a crisp white buttoned vest and tailored cutoff suit shorts.
—Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
If that still doesn’t feel like enough coverage, add a vest or blazer as an extra layer.
—Bianca Lambert, Glamour, 24 June 2025
Verb
Getty What To Know Massie introduced the War Powers Resolution on Tuesday, emphasizing that the U.S. Constitution vests the power to declare war with Congress, not the President.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 June 2025
This obscure law vested NOAA with the authority to issue permits for mining beyond American jurisdiction until an international regime was put in place.
—Time, 17 June 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 10 Jul. 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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