vested interest

noun

1. a special interest in an existing system, arrangement, or institution for particular personal reasons.
2. a permanent right given to an employee under a pension plan.
3. vested interests, the persons, groups, etc., who benefit the most from existing business or financial systems.

vested interest

noun

1. property law an existing and disposable right to the immediate or future possession and enjoyment of property
2. a strong personal concern in a state of affairs, system, etc, usually resulting in private gain
3. a person or group that has such an interest

vested interest

1. A phrase that indicates a deep personal (and possibly financial) interest in some political or economic proposal: “As a major stockholder of the Ford Motor Company, Senator Bilge had a vested interest in legislation restricting the import of Japanese autos.” The plural, vested interests , often refers to powerful, wealthy property holders: “His radical policies enraged vested interests.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of vested interest¹

First recorded in 1810–20

Idioms and Phrases

A personal stake in something, as in She has a vested interest in keeping the house in her name . This term, first recorded in 1818, uses vested in the sense of “established” or “secured.”