prerogative

[pri-rog-uh-tiv, puh-rog-]

noun

1. an exclusive right, privilege, etc., exercised by virtue of rank, office, or the like.

   the prerogatives of a senator.

2. a right, privilege, etc., limited to a specific person or to persons of a particular category.

   It was the teacher's prerogative to stop the discussion.

3. a power, immunity, or the like restricted to a sovereign government or its representative.

   The royal prerogative exempts the king from taxation.

4. Obsolete.,  precedence.

adjective

1. having or exercising a prerogative.

2. pertaining to, characteristic of, or existing by virtue of a prerogative.

prerogative

/ prɪˈrɒɡətɪv /

noun

1. an exclusive privilege or right exercised by a person or group of people holding a particular office or hereditary rank

2. any privilege or right

3. a power, privilege, or immunity restricted to a sovereign or sovereign government

adjective

1. having or able to exercise a prerogative

Word History and Origins

Origin of prerogative¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin praerogātīvus (adjective) “voting first,” praerogātīva (noun use of feminine of adjective) “tribe or century with right to vote first.” See pre-, interrogative

Word History and Origins

Origin of prerogative¹

C14: from Latin praerogātīva privilege, earlier: group with the right to vote first, from prae before + rogāre to ask, beg for

Synonym Study

See privilege.

Example Sentences

“His mindset is that the region is the U.S.’s backyard and his strategic prerogative, in the name of protecting the homeland and boosting ‘America First.’

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Zelensky's original bill had stripped the two bodies of their independent authority to decide who to prosecute in high-level corruption cases, giving that prerogative to the general prosecutor - a presidential appointee.

Read more on BBC

Of course, executive orders are perfectly within the president's prerogative.

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He accused the judges of “needlessly upending critical immigration policies that are carefully calibrated to deter illegal entry, vitiating core Executive Branch prerogatives, and undoing democratically approved policies that featured heavily in the November election.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Every president inherits his predecessor's appointees, but has the prerogative to replace them.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• immunity 
• perquisite