Interest definition including break down of areas in the definition. Analyzing the definition of key term often provides more insight about concepts. Interest can be defined as: Charge for using money (or other assets) loaned from one entity to another. Interest is the charger for the use of money, for the use of the purchasing power of money. Interest is similar to rent on a building, the rent being for the use of the building, interest being for the use of the money. Interest can see more abstract than a building because of the nature of money but the idea is the same.