conflict of interest

noun

1. the circumstance of a public officeholder, business executive, or the like, whose personal interests might benefit from their official actions or influence.

   The senator placed his stocks in trust to avoid possible conflict of interest.

2. the circumstance of a person who finds that one of their own activities, interests, etc., can be advanced only at the expense of another of them.

Word History and Origins

Origin of conflict of interest¹

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

The White House has said the president and his family aren’t engaged in conflicts of interest.

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The policy drew rebukes from press-rights organizations, which have highlighted the role journalists have played in revealing wasteful spending, conflicts of interest and misconduct.

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Intervenors also would have to report potential conflicts of interest they might have in representing consumers.

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The SRU agreed and a deal was done, presuming there was no conflict of interest.

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Paxton in 2015 put his assets into a blind trust, a tool used by politicians to avoid conflicts of interest by separating them from management of their money.

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