What does vestment mean?
A vestment is a garment worn for a formal or religious ceremony, particularly by clergy or other officiants. The word is especially associated with the distinctive clothing used in Christian worship, such as robes, chasubles, gowns, and stoles. Its singular usually refers to one ceremonial garment, while its plural can refer collectively to the clothing worn during a service or ceremony. Because vestment emphasizes the garment’s ceremonial role rather than merely its appearance, it carries formal and traditionally religious associations. In broader literary use, the word may occasionally describe attire connected with an important public or ritual occasion. Vestment is related in origin to vest and to words such as invest and divest, all of which ultimately derive from the Latin root for clothing or dressing. Although less common than the general words garment, clothing, and attire, it is useful when specificity about ceremonial dress is needed.
nounA ceremonial or formal garment, especially one worn by a member of the clergy during religious services.
- A ceremonial or formal garment, especially one worn by clergy during religious services.
"The priest entered the sanctuary wearing a richly embroidered white vestment."
"The bishop adjusted his vestment before conducting the service."
"The museum displayed an embroidered vestment worn at a historic coronation."
Used for individual ceremonial garments or, more commonly, for the complete set of clothing worn by clergy or an officiant during a ceremony.
"The choir members put on their vestments before the service."
One vestment is a ceremonial garment; the plural often evokes the complete set worn by a cleric during worship.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of vestment
Vestment comes through Old French vestement from the Latin vestimentum, meaning clothing or garment. The Latin word was derived from vestis, the source of English vest as well as the wider family represented by invest, divest, and vestiary. The English word was established in Middle English and became especially associated with ceremonial and religious clothing.
How vestment is actually used
The word is chiefly formal and religious in modern English. In the singular it can denote one garment, while the plural often denotes a complete set of ceremonial clothing.
Easily confused with vestment
A vestment is a ceremonial garment, whereas an investment is an official appointment or the money committed to an undertaking.
A vest is a sleeveless garment worn as an outer layer, while a vestment is clothing associated with a formal or religious ceremony.