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

The state parts ways with Baron & Budd over conflicts of interest.

From The Wall Street Journal

In his October letter, Jangelis called the arrangement “a direct conflict of interest.”

From Salon

Alaska says those relationships create a conflict of interest with state litigation on similar matters and should have been flagged long ago.

From The Wall Street Journal

It appears neither controversy nor potential conflicts of interest have been enough to keep this party down.

From Los Angeles Times

The state attorney general’s office said previously that the office took over reviewing the case because of the “potential conflict of interest” involving the Kern County district attorney’s office.

From Los Angeles Times