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

He added, “There are not, and never have been, any conflicts of interest at the firm.”

From The Wall Street Journal

The researchers report no conflicts of interest related to the content of the study.

From Science Daily

They complained about the potential for conflicts of interest, competition risks and minimal information about safeguards for taxpayers.

From The Wall Street Journal

So far action has been limited to clubs being removed from competitions where there might be a conflict of interest.

From BBC

He also sought records detailing how company revenue and profits had been distributed, World Liberty’s policies on conflicts of interest and any due diligence it had conducted on the transaction.

From The Wall Street Journal