vested interest: Meaning and Definition of

vest'ed in'terest

Pronunciation: [key]
  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. the persons, groups, etc., who benefit the most from existing business or financial systems.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.