American English

How to pronounce vests

noun · verbB1
VEHSTS

/vɛsts/

One syllable.

Related entry: vest

a sleeveless piece of clothing worn over a shirt, often as part of a suit

Practice out loud

Meanings & examples

noun

a sleeveless piece of clothing worn over a shirt, often as part of a suit

He wore a black vest with his suit.

The vest has four small pockets.

Good to know

In American English, vest usually means a garment worn over a shirt. In British English, vest often means an undershirt.

Common phrases & grammar

suit vest · vest pocket · buttoned vest

wear a vest over a shirt

a vest as part of a suit

noun

a sleeveless piece of clothing worn for a special purpose, such as protection, warmth, or visibility

Everyone must wear a life vest on the boat.

The road worker put on a reflective vest.

Common phrases & grammar

life vest · bulletproof vest · safety vest · reflective vest

verbformalless common

to officially give a person or group a legal right, power, or property

The law vests power in the courts.

The agreement vests ownership in the buyer.

Good to know

This meaning is mainly used in legal or business writing.

Common phrases & grammar

vest authority in someone

vest property in someone

verbtechnicalless common

to become legally owned or available after a set time or condition

Her stock options vest after four years.

The pension benefits vest in the employee over time.

Good to know

For this meaning, the shares or rights usually come before the person who receives them.

Common phrases & grammar

vesting period · vested shares

shares vest after three years

shares vest in an employee

Useful expressions

vested interest

a personal benefit or strong reason for wanting a particular result

She has a vested interest in the project succeeding.

vest in

to legally give power, property, or rights to someone or something

The constitution vests authority in Congress.

vesting period

the time before shares or benefits legally become yours

The company has a three-year vesting period.

Related words & forms