conflict of interest

American  

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.

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Etymology

Origin of conflict of interest

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

Suterwalla said: "There was no 'serious risk' of a conflict of interest."

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

The charges include conflict of interest in government contracts, misappropriation of public funds, perjury and accepting prohibited gifts, prosecutors said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

A European Commission notice from 2021 defines a conflict of interest as a situation wherein a "financial actor's" impartiality is compromised "for reasons involving... economic interest or any other direct or indirect personal interest".

From Barron's • Mar. 12, 2026

If a lawyer adds himself to a bank account while holding power of attorney, that could create a serious conflict of interest.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 3, 2026

There they erected new walls around themselves, to create at least the illusion that Morgan Stanley had no conflict of interest.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis