vestment

noun

vest·​ment ˈves(t)-mənt 

1

a

: an outer garment

especially : a robe of ceremony or office

b

vestments ˈves(t)-mənts  plural : clothing, garb

2

: a covering resembling a garment

3

: one of the articles of the ceremonial attire and insignia worn by ecclesiastical officiants and assistants as indicative of their rank and appropriate to the rite being celebrated

vestmental

ves(t)-ˈmen-tᵊl 

adjective

Synonyms

• apparel
• attire
• clobber [British slang]
• clothes
• clothing
• costumery
• dress
• duds
• garments
• gear
• habiliment(s)
• habit [archaic]
• rags
• raiment
• rig
• rigging
• threads
• toggery
• togs
• vestiary
• vesture
• wear
• wearables
• weeds

Examples of vestment in a Sentence

wore professional vestments to the interview to give her potential future employer a good first impression

Recent Examples on the Web

Any possible cure, however, has as a fundamental element the body politic’s vestment in civility. —Blake D. Morant, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

Meanwhile, the elaborate vestments that were designed by costume designer Lisy Christl shifted his movements. —Esther Zuckerman, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024

Fiennes and Berger tussled briefly over which costumes to use for the cardinals after Fiennes met with the British cardinal and tried on his vestments. —Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 23 Oct. 2024

In addition to royals and other members sporting the ensemble each year for the ceremony, the Prince of Wales wore the Order of the Garter vestment at his father's coronation in May 2023. —Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 17 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English vestement, from Anglo-French, from Latin vestimentum, from vestire to clothe

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

vestment

noun

vest·​ment ˈves(t)-mənt 

: an outer garment especially for wear during ceremonies or by an official