vested
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of vested
Explanation
If you have a vested interest in something, you have a personal stake in its success. You have a vested interest in your science project — if your invention works, you could be rich and famous. Vested can also refer to something assigned to you. When a minister says "by the power vested in me by the State of Ohio, I now pronounce you husband and wife," he's referring to the legal authority he’s been given to marry people. Vested can also be a financial term. If you’re vested in your company's pension plan after working there 5 years, then even if you quit at 5 years, that pension money is yours to take with you.
Vocabulary lists containing vested
Vocabulary from the Constitution of the United States
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Marbury v. Madison (1803)
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Eyes Wide Open
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Musk’s ownership and voting power includes vested options on 350 million SpaceX Class B shares and 286 million unvested and votable restricted Tesla shares received on exercising vested options.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026
“All the parties have a vested interest in honesty, and in a good user experience.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 19, 2026
Disney already has a vested interest in device-based entertainment.
From Salon ● Jun. 21, 2026
According to the Canada-based investigator who didn't want to be named, the inquiry has become "unusually contentious because so many stakeholders have a vested interest in its outcome".
From BBC ● Jun. 15, 2026
“Nelson Mandela,” the officer said, “I arrest you under the powers vested in me by the Emergency Regulations.”
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
