vestment

noun vest·ment \ ˈves(t)-mənt \

|Updated on: 19 Jul 2018

Definition of vestment

1 a : an outer garment; especially : a robe of ceremony or office

b vestments plural : clothing, garb

2 : a covering resembling a garment

3 : one of the articles of the ceremonial attire and insignia worn by ecclesiastical officiants and assistants as indicative of their rank and appropriate to the rite being celebrated

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vestmental

play \ves(t)-ˈmen-tᵊl\ adjective

See vestment defined for kids

Recent Examples of vestment from the Web

His Catholicism was simpler, more Nicaraguan, and of the old hierarchical style the people loved: vestments, incense, prayers to the saints, spiritual instruction.

— The Economist, "Obituary: Cardinal Miguel Obando y Bravo, the first cardinal from Central America," 23 June 2018
The 2018 exhibit shows how Catholicism has influenced fashion and designers through the decades and features more than 50 vestments and other religious items direct from the Vatican.

— fernando ramirez, Houston Chronicle, "Texas pastor calls social justice 'anti-biblical' and 'Marxist ideology'," 17 May 2018
Approximately 40 vestments from the Sistine Chapel Sacristy—rarely (if ever) released papal mantles and chasubles, priceless tiaras, rings and crosses—speak to the way sumptuous earthly beauty engages the divine.

— laura jacobs, WSJ, "‘Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination’ Review: A Gift From the Sartorial Gods," 10 May 2018
Looking at the vestments, the quality is incredible.

— jason farago, New York Times, "A Trinity of Opinions on the Met’s ‘Heavenly Bodies’," 20 May 2018
Leto’s ensemble includes a gold embroidered stole similar to a priest’s vestment, and the songstress accessorized her gown with a giant feathered halo.

— Vogue, "Met Gala 2018 Live Blog: Katy Perry Walks the Red Carpet in Six-Foot Wings," 7 May 2018
The ornate, intricate, almost otherworldly papal vestments were hung carefully behind glass like oversized gold and white butterflies.

— pamela keogh, Vanities, "“I’m Not Sure Any Bishops Could Fit into Them”: Touring the Met’s Catholic Fashions with Father James Martin," 8 May 2018
And while the bike is designed to look like classic Bonnevilles (1959-73), this is a state-of the-art motorcycle in vintage vestments.

— WSJ, "The Unimprovable Awards: Perfect Things Inspired By Stylish Locales," 8 May 2018
Religious vestments were lent to flush out the exhibit.

— dave quinn, PEOPLE.com, "The Met Gala's 'Catholic Imagination' Theme Called 'Blasphemous' and 'Sacrilegious' by Critics," 8 May 2018

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