vested interest

Definition of vested interest

1 : an interest (such as a title to an estate) carrying a legal right of present or future enjoyment specifically : a right vested in an employee under a pension plan

2 : a special concern or stake in maintaining or influencing a condition, arrangement, or action especially for selfish ends

3 : one having a vested interest in something specifically : a group enjoying benefits from an existing economic or political privilege

Examples of vested interest in a Sentence

She has a vested interest in seeing the business sold, as she'll make a profit from the sale.

Recent Examples on the Web The tech industry at large benefits enormously from Trump’s tax cuts, and has a vested interest in helping reach a trade war détente. — Brian Barrett, Wired, "Ivanka Trump's Future of Work Isn't for Workers," 7 Jan. 2020 Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, who easily defeated Bevin in a 2014 Senate primary, also has a vested interest in the outcome. — BostonGlobe.com, "The president also held a campaign event Friday in Mississippi, where Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves, a Republican, was pitted against Attorney General Jim Hood, an anti-abortion, pro-gun Democrat, in the governor’s race.," 6 Nov. 2019 Per the Northwest Indiana Times’ Dan Carden, the union has another vested interest: the governor elected in 2020 will appoint the state school superintendent for the first time ever. — cleveland, "Donald Trump and Democrats reach agreement on USMCA trade deal: The Flyover," 11 Dec. 2019 Those with a vested interest feared losing him to another school in search of a new head coach and prodded athletic director Chris Del Conte to cut whatever check necessary to prevent that. — Nick Moyle, ExpressNews.com, "How the Texas Longhorns’ staff shakeups could affect recruiting," 4 Dec. 2019 Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who easily defeated Bevin in a 2014 Senate primary, also has a vested interest in the outcome. — Bill Barrow, Twin Cities, "Dems flip Virginia; Kentucky governor race too close to call," 6 Nov. 2019 And that has to be very concerning to everyone with a vested interest in Alabama’s success. — John Talty | Jtalty@al.com, al, "Tua Tagovailoa’s ankle injury determines Alabama season, Jeremy Pruitt should be embarrassed," 20 Oct. 2019 That process only provides grist for vested interests, which can be depended on to cherry-pick details that are hardest for laypersons to understand and paint them as threats to their well-being. — Los Angeles Times, "Column: Vested interests are already mounting dishonest attacks on ‘Medicare for all’," 1 Aug. 2019 Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who easily defeated Bevin in a 2014 Senate primary, also has a vested interest in the outcome. — Bill Barrow, Twin Cities, "Dems flip Virginia; Kentucky governor race too close to call," 6 Nov. 2019

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

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Last Updated

21 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Vested interest.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vested%20interest. Accessed 26 January 2020.

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More Definitions for vested interest

vested interest

noun

Financial Definition of vested interest

What It Is

A vested interest is a right of ownership which is not dependent on something else.

How It Works

When a possession, ownership interest or the use of tangible property is present and unencumbered by any conditions, it is known as a vested interest. The clear and unencumbered interest is not reliant or contingent on anything other conditions or events. For example, a vested interest can mean stock or options that are transferred and available to the recipient. A vested interest in real estate means the owner of the property. A vested interest in a pension plan, for example, may mean that the employee is qualified to take the benefits of the pension plan, including the contributions by the employer.

Why It Matters

A vested interest in tangible property represents an important asset on a company's or personal balance sheet. Understanding the conditions of a potential borrower's vestment (i.e. establishing a vested interest) in a particular asset is an important part of the due diligence process for a creditor.

Source: Investing Answers

vested interest

noun