preferment

[ pri-fur-muhnt ]

/ prɪˈfɜr mənt /

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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.

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Origin of preferment

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

Words nearby preferment

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use preferment in a sentence

It would be a misfortune if the impression were created that preferment to the episcopal bench was confined to High Churchmen.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 158, April 28, 1920|Various
You won't keep him long, you know, for Puffin's a man certain of good preferment.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume II (of 3)|Charles James Wills
Under the latter he was deprived of his preferment in Oxford, and under a harsher rule might have incurred yet graver penalties.
The English Church in the Eighteenth Century|Charles J. Abbey and John H. Overton
In November, 1561, his preferment was announced, and almost immediately afterwards the news was contradicted on authority.
Ireland Under the Tudors, Vol. II (of 3)|Richard Bagwell

"And my partial little daughter had the bestowal of such preferment and titles," he added laughingly.
Elsie's Vacation and After Events|Martha Finley

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

preferment

Origin of preferment

Words nearby preferment

Words related to preferment

How to use preferment in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for preferment