vested interest

/ˌvɛstəd ˌɪntərəst/

Other forms: vested interests

Definitions of vested interest

1. noun

   (law) an interest in which there is a fixed right to present or future enjoyment and that can be conveyed to another
   type of:

   interest, stake

   (law) a right or legal share of something; a financial involvement with something
2. noun

   groups that seek to control a social system or activity from which they derive private benefit
   types:

   military-industrial complex

   a country's military establishment and the industries that produce arms and other military equipment

   type of:

   interest, interest group

   (usually plural) a social group whose members control some field of activity and who have common aims