preferment

[pri-fur-muh nt]

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.

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. 2018

Related Words for preferment

development, advance, upgrade, recovery, rise, advancement, increase, growth, enhancement, progress, revision, renovation, change, gain, priority, advantage, improvement, amendment, cultivation, elevation

Examples from the Web for preferment

Historical Examples of preferment

But he had resolved to refuse any appointment, any preferment.
The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete
Emile Zola
So the most attractive women will compete for your preferment.
City of Endless Night
Milo Hastings
It is the only standard of advancement, and there is no other instrument of preferment.
The Brighton Boys in the Radio Service
James R. Driscoll
Which is an Art restored, and of my preferment to your Seruice.
The Mathematicall Praeface to Elements of Geometrie of Euclid of Megara
John Dee
If so, all holders of preferment in the University should make as quiet an exit as they can.
Apologia Pro Vita Sua
John Henry Cardinal Newman

British Dictionary definitions for preferment

preferment

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

Word Origin and History for preferment

mid-15c., from prefer + -ment.