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vest

n. · v.
US //ˈvɛst// UK //vˈɛst// vest
  1. 1 sleeveless garment (US) (n.)
    B1 Intermediate American English

    a piece of clothing without sleeves that buttons down the front, often worn over a shirt as part of a suit.

    a sleeveless garment worn over a shirt, typically featuring a buttoned front; equivalent to the British 'waistcoat'.

    Example

    He wore a grey vest over his white shirt for the wedding.

    Example

    The groom opted for a three-piece suit, ensuring the silk backing of his vest matched the interior lining of his jacket.
    • waistcoat
  2. 2 undergarment (UK) (n.)
    B1 Intermediate British English

    a simple sleeveless top worn under your clothes to keep you warm.

    a sleeveless undergarment worn next to the skin for warmth or protection; equivalent to the American 'undershirt'.

    Example

    In the winter, the children always wear a cotton vest under their school jumpers.

    Example

    The hiker layered a thermal vest beneath his fleece to maintain core body temperature during the ascent.
    • undershirt
    • singlet
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  1. 3 safety or utility garment (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a sleeveless jacket worn for safety or to carry tools.

    a sleeveless outer garment designed for a specific functional purpose, such as high-visibility safety or equipment storage.

    Example

    All workers on the construction site must wear a bright yellow safety vest.

    Example

    The photographer wore a multi-pocketed utility vest to keep his spare lenses and batteries within easy reach during the shoot.
    • waistcoat
    • tabard
  2. 4 to give power or authority (v.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Law

    to give someone official power or the right to make decisions.

    to confer or bestow power, authority, or property upon a person or institution; typically used with 'in' or 'with'.

    Example

    The power to change the law is vested in the parliament.

    Example

    The executive council is vested with the authority to override local zoning ordinances in cases of public emergency.

    Usage

    Usually takes the preposition 'in' (power is vested in someone) or 'with' (someone is vested with power).
  3. 5 to become a permanent right (v.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Finance

    to become a fixed or permanent right, especially regarding money or shares.

    to become an absolute or settled right, particularly in the context of pension benefits or stock options after a specific period of service.

    Example

    Her company stock options will vest after she has worked there for three years.

    Example

    Under the terms of the agreement, the employee's retirement benefits vest fully only after five years of continuous employment.

    Usage

    Often used as an intransitive verb in business contexts.
Origin

From French veste (“a vest, jacket”), from Latin vestis (“a garment, gown, robe, vestment, clothing, vesture”), from Proto-Indo-European wéstis, from wes- (“to be dressed”) (English wear). Cognate with Sanskrit वस्त्र (vastra) and Spanish vestir.

Idioms1 entry

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