noun
1.
a. : an interest (as a right or title to an estate) carrying a legal right of present or future enjoyment and of present alienation
b. : an interest (as in an existing political, economic, or social arrangement) in which the holder has a strong personal commitment as a result sometimes of long association but more often of present or future benefits
those who have a vested interest in the educational status quo — A.E.Bestor
to continue in existence it must create vested interests in its survival — Paul Johnson
c. : a right vested in an employee under a pension plan
2. : one having a vested interest in something ; specifically : a group closely associated with and enjoying benefits from an existing economic or political privilege
vacant land … is bought up by speculators or held by vested interests — A.J.Bruwer
the free press, so integral to the self-maintenance and growth of free society, was brought into subservience to the vested interests — H.M.Kallen