preference

[pref-er-uhns, pref-ruhns]

noun

1. the act of preferring.

2. the state of being preferred.

3. that which is preferred; choice.

   His preference is vanilla, not chocolate.

   Synonyms: pick, selection

4. a practical advantage given to one over others.

5. a prior right or claim, as to payment of dividends or to assets upon dissolution.

6. the favoring of one country or group of countries by granting special advantages over others in international trade.

preference

/ ˈprɛfrəns, ˈprɛfərəns /

noun

1. the act of preferring

2. something or someone preferred

3. law

   1. the settling of the claims of one or more creditors before or to the exclusion of those of the others

   2. a prior right to payment, as of a dividend or share in the assets of a company in the event of liquidation

4. commerce the granting of favour or precedence to particular foreign countries, as by levying differential tariffs

Other Word Forms

• nonpreference noun
• self-preference noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of preference¹

From the Medieval Latin word praeferentia, dating back to 1595–1605. See prefer, -ence

Synonym Study

See choice.

Example Sentences

Their efforts add to an accelerating bipartisan push to ban legacy preferences in admissions as America focuses more on who gets into college and why.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The guards—who could be armed or unarmed depending on the community’s preference—are seen as a deterrent to potential thieves.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It’s not just a preference—it’s practically a belief system.

Read more on Salon

About 51% of the ballots that have been returned to date are from registered Democrats, while 28% are from registered Republicans and 21% are from voters who do not express a party preference.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Voter preferences gravitated toward candidates with different types of political experience and higher existing name profiles rather than legislative expertise.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• choice 
• desire 
• inclination 
• option 
• predilection 
• weakness