vest

1 of 2

noun

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
vestlike 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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Testers loved this vest not just for all of that, but for its whimsical Japanese styling. Frederick Reimers, Outside Online, 4 Nov. 2024 The former president even appeared in the passenger seat of a garbage truck, donning a neon trash collector's vest, at a campaign stop Wednesday. Savannah Kuchar, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
This must work hand-in-hand with a clear definition of the authorities vested in each member of the respective teams. Chris Kille, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024 Trump’s team claims that Congress never vested the attorney general with the power to appoint Smith. David French, The Mercury News, 18 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for vest 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of vest was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near vest

Cite this Entry

“Vest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vest. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

vest

1 of 2 verb
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 StatesU.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

More from Merriam-Webster on vest

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