waistcoat

American  

[wes-kuht, weyst-koht] / ˈwɛs kət, ˈweɪstˌkoʊt /

noun

1. Chiefly British. vest.

2. an 18th-century garment for women that is similar to a man's vest, usually worn with a riding habit.

3. a man's body garment, often quilted and embroidered and having sleeves, worn under the doublet in the 16th and 17th centuries.

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waistcoat British  

/ ˈweɪsˌkəʊt /

noun

1. US, Canadian, and Austral name: vest.  a sleeveless waist-length garment with buttons at the front, often worn under a suit jacket

2. a man's garment worn under a doublet in the 16th century

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Other Word Forms

• underwaistcoat noun
• waistcoated adjective

Etymology

Origin of waistcoat

First recorded in 1510–20; waist + coat

Example Sentences

In the interim, however, this technology comes to us wrapped in some unprepossessing, temporized designs, like this fat-bellied seal in a plastic waistcoat.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 24, 2025

Wearing a blue waistcoat and a small bag, he waved to supporters in the public gallery during the brief hearing.

From BBC • Jul. 3, 2025

A beige T-shirt and waistcoat ensemble looked red carpet-ready with its chicly pleated, arrow-thin assorted tie.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 20, 2024

About 12 feet tall, this creature will hold a pocket watch and have fur made of cream-colored Sedum foliage, a waistcoat of yellowy-green Sedum and a maroon jacket of Alternanthera leaves.

From New York Times • Apr. 24, 2024

Or the vain and incty pinch-nose worrying about his coat and the ivory buttons on his waistcoat?

From "Jazz" by Toni Morrison