1. A garment, especially a robe or gown worn as an indication of office or state.
2. Ecclesiastical. Any of the ritual robes worn by members of the clergy, acolytes, or other assistants at services or rites, especially a garment worn at the celebration of the Eucharist.

[Middle English vestement, from Old French vestment, from Latin vestīmentum, from vestīre, to clothe, from vestis, garment. See vest.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.