preferment

[ pri-fur-muh nt ]

/ prɪˈfɜr mənt /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR preferment ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the act of preferring.

the state of being preferred.

advancement or promotion, especially in the church.

a position or office affording social or pecuniary advancement.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

preference stock, preferential, preferential shop, preferential voting, preferentially, preferment, preferred lie, preferred ordinary shares, preferred position, preferred pronoun, preferred provider organization

Origin of preferment

late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75; see origin at prefer, -ment

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for preferment

Probably they were concerning themselves with studies more likely to give them preferment or more immediate personal gain.
The Weakling|Everett B. Cole
Astonished at her son's promise, dazzled by the hopes of his preferment, all Mrs. Spimkins's usual good sense forsook her.
Odd Volume|Various
When enthroned the new primate refused to make the enormous gift which the king expected from every recipient of preferment.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 5|Various
When Sir Robert fell, Bubb expected to rise, but his expectations of preferment were not realized.
The Wits and Beaux of Society|Grace & Philip Wharton

Possibly the freedom of his opinions may have put obstacles in the way of his preferment.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 8|Various

British Dictionary definitions for preferment

preferment

/ (prɪˈfɜːmənt) /

noun

the act of promoting or advancing to a higher position, office, etc

the state of being preferred for promotion or social advancement

the act of preferring

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012