# vest

/ˈvɛst/ (US) · /vˈɛst/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/vest
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. sleeveless garment (US)

noun · CEFR B1 · American English

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

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

- He wore a grey vest over his white shirt for the wedding.
- The groom opted for a three-piece suit, ensuring the silk backing of his vest matched the interior lining of his jacket.

### 2. undergarment (UK)

noun · CEFR B1 · British English

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

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

- In the winter, the children always wear a cotton vest under their school jumpers.
- The hiker layered a thermal vest beneath his fleece to maintain core body temperature during the ascent.

### 3. safety or utility garment

noun · CEFR B1

a sleeveless jacket worn for safety or to carry tools.

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

- All workers on the construction site must wear a bright yellow safety vest.
- The photographer wore a multi-pocketed utility vest to keep his spare lenses and batteries within easy reach during the shoot.

### 4. to give power or authority

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

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

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

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

### 5. to become a permanent right

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

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

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

## Examples

- He wore a grey vest over his white shirt for the wedding.
- The construction workers are required to wear bright yellow safety vests so drivers can see them clearly.
- While the three-piece suit traditionally includes a matching vest, modern fashion often allows for contrasting textures or colors to create a more contemporary aesthetic.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.