vest

1 of 2

noun

ˈvest 

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

ˈvest-ˌlīk 

adjective

vest

2 of 2

verb

vested; vesting; vests

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

Synonyms

Verb

• accredit
• authorize
• certify
• charter [British]
• commission
• empower
• enable
• invest
• license
• licence
• qualify
• warrant

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

Noun

There was no Power Bait in his vest, just Wheatly fly boxes and $40 nippers. —Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 4 Apr. 2024

As bullets flew, Savannah — wearing a plate vest and a tactical helmet — exited her father’s vehicle. —Ben Brasch, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024

Savannah did not appear to be wearing a vest or tactical gear. —Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 3 Apr. 2024

But the instinct to keep it close to the vest is understandable. —Marc Silver, NPR, 30 Mar. 2024

For a chic-in-the-city look, pair the statement shoe with Cos’ structured suit vest, Agolde’s distressed denim skirt, and The Row’s must-have top-handle bag. —Laura Jackson, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2024

At least four gunman wearing camouflage and combat vests entered the music hall and began shooting at spectators during a performance, Reuters said. —George Petras, USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024

In this moment which falls on Christmas 1971, Chisholm wears a maroon turtleneck sweater accentuated by a plaid vest and midi balloon-esque skirt. —Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 26 Mar. 2024

One of the officers, who police have named as Officer Jonathan Diller, was shot underneath his bulletproof vest. —Gabrielle Rockson, Peoplemag, 26 Mar. 2024

Verb

One-third of the initial award will be options and two-thirds will be restricted stock units subject to vesting terms. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 3 Apr. 2024

Like many tech companies, TikTok awards restricted stock units to its employees that vest over time as part of their compensation. —Alexandra Sternlicht, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2024

That is the governing body normally vested with the power to make decisions for the HOA. —Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2024

This committee, vested with the responsibility for conducting a thorough assessment of the board’s composition, will be able to identify gaps in diversity – gender, race, ethnicity, qualifications, etc. —Oludolapo Makinde, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024

The Electoral College was conceived, in part, to ensure that the president was elected by upstanding members of the community in each state, increasing the likelihood that the executive’s awesome and thus potentially ruinous powers would be vested in worthy candidates. —Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 20 Jan. 2024

Natural law is founded upon universal principles, which conceptualize self-ownership and private property as absolute rights that vest in all human beings and apply equally to all. —Wanjiru Njoya, Orange County Register, 13 Feb. 2024

The board was vested with substantial authority, as reported by Wired, including the ability to elect and dismiss directors, as well as modify the number of members. —Muddu Sudhakar, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024

These shares will only vest if Carlyle shares hit key levels. —Dawn Lim, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French veste, from Italian, from Latin vestis garment

Verb

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

First Known Use

Noun

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1b

Phrases Containing vest

• hold/keep/play (something) close to the vest
• play/hold/keep one's cards close to the/one's chest/vest
• sweater-vest
• vest-pocket
• vest-pocket park
• life vest
• close to the vest

Kids Definition

vest

1 of 2 verb

ˈvest 

1

: 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 noun

1

: 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

verb

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

Etymology

Verb

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