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
Synonyms
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
Taylor Ardrey, USA TODAY, 8 Dec. 2024
McConnell famously keeps his cards close to his vest, leaving rivals baffled on his next play.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 4 Dec. 2024
Chris Isidore, CNN, 3 Dec. 2024
The Electoral College was designed as part of the wider system of checks and balances, vesting power in individual states to conduct their own elections and send their votes to Washington rather than having elections held at the federal level.
—Haisten Willis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for vest 
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Noun
One of Kayla's favorite outfits of the season thus far is a navy blue shirt and vest set with a white bow-tie blouse.
—Taylor Ardrey, USA TODAY, 8 Dec. 2024
McConnell famously keeps his cards close to his vest, leaving rivals baffled on his next play.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 4 Dec. 2024
Verb
With the package thrown out, Musk has essentially not been paid since the last of the stock options awarded to him in a 2012 pay package vested in 2018.
—Chris Isidore, CNN, 3 Dec. 2024
The Electoral College was designed as part of the wider system of checks and balances, vesting power in individual states to conduct their own elections and send their votes to Washington rather than having elections held at the federal level.
—Haisten Willis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for vest
Articles Related to vest
Dictionary Entries Near vest
Cite this Entry
“Vest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vest. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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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