vested

UK: /ˈvɛstɪd/ US: /ˈvɛstɪd/ ,(ves′tid)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

vest•ed /ˈvɛstɪd/   adj. 

1. held completely, permanently, and inalienably:
   vested rights.
2. Business protected or established by law, tradition, etc.:
   vested contributions to a fund.
3. Religion clothed or robed, esp. in garments for church ceremonies.
4. Clothing having a vest:
   a vested suit.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

vest•ed  (ves′tid), adj. 

1. held completely, permanently, and inalienably:
   vested rights.
2. protected or established by law, commitment, tradition, ownership, etc.:
   vested contributions to a fund.
3. clothed or robed, esp. in ecclesiastical vestments:
   a vested priest.
4. Clothing having a vest;
   sold with a vest:
   a vested suit.

• vest + -ed² 1665–75

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

vested / ˈvɛstɪd/ adjective

1. having a present right to the immediate or future possession and enjoyment of property
   Compare contingent

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

vest /vɛst/   n. 

[countable]
1. Clothing a fitted, waist-length, sleeveless garment with buttons down the front, usually worn under a jacket.
2. Clothing a part or trimming simulating the front of such a garment.
3. Clothing any of various sleeveless garments for the upper body, having a front opening and worn for style, warmth, or protection:
   a down vest; a bulletproof vest.
4. British Terms, Clothing an undershirt.

v. [~ + object]

5. to clothe, as in garments worn during religious ceremonies.
6. to place or settle (authority) in the possession or control of someone:
   to vest authority in a new official.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

vest  (vest), n. 

1. Clothing a close-fitting, waist-length, sleeveless garment that buttons down the front, designed to be worn under a jacket.
2. Clothing a part or trimming simulating the front of such a garment;
   vestee. Cf. dickey ¹ (def. 1).
3. Clothing a waist-length garment worn for protective purposes:
   a bulletproof vest.
4. Clothing a sleeveless, waist- or hip-length garment made of various materials, with a front opening usually secured by buttons, a zipper, or the like, worn over a shirt, blouse, dress, or other article for style or warmth:
   a sweater vest; a down vest.
5. British Terms, Clothing an undervest or undershirt.
6. Clothing a long garment resembling a cassock, worn by men in the time of Charles II.
7. Clothing [Archaic.]
   • dress;
     apparel.
   • an outer garment, robe, or gown.
   • an ecclesiastical vestment.
8. play it close to the vest, [Informal.] to avoid taking unnecessary risks.

v.t. 

9. to clothe;
   dress;
   robe.
10. to dress in ecclesiastical vestments:
    to vest a bishop.
11. to cover or drape (an altar).
12. to place or settle (something, esp. property, rights, powers, etc.) in the possession or control of someone (usually fol. by in):
    to vest authority in a new official.
13. to invest or endow (a person, group, committee, etc.) with something, as powers, functions, or rights:
    to vest the board with power to increase production; to vest an employee with full benefits in the pension plan.

v.i. 

14. to put on vestments.
15. to become vested in a person, as a right.
16. to devolve upon a person as possessor;
    pass into possession or ownership.

• Latin vestīre to clothe, derivative of vestis; akin to wear
• Middle French vestir
• Latin vestis garment; (verb, verbal) late Middle English
• Italian veste robe, dress
• (noun, nominal) late Middle English 1375–1425

vest′less, adj. 
vest′like′, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

vest / vɛst/ noun

1. an undergarment covering the body from the shoulders to the hips, made of cotton, nylon, etc
   US and Canadian equivalent: undershirt
   Austral equivalent: singlet
2. a similar sleeveless garment worn as outerwear
   Austral equivalent: singlet
3. a man's sleeveless waistlength garment worn under a suit jacket, usually buttoning up the front
   Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): waistcoat
4. any form of dress, esp a long robe

verb

1. (transitive) followed by in: to place or settle (power, rights, etc, in): power was vested in the committee
2. (transitive) followed by with: to bestow or confer (on): the company was vested with authority
3. (usually followed by in) to confer (a right, title, property, etc, upon) or (of a right, title, etc) to pass (to) or devolve (upon)
4. (transitive) to clothe or array
5. (intransitive) to put on clothes, ecclesiastical vestments, etc

Etymology: 15th Century: from Old French vestir to clothe, from Latin vestīre, from vestis clothing