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

But Chelsea felt his wages limited the options they could present to Sterling, particularly with regard to his preference to stay close to London.

From BBC

Among those whose current party preference is Reform, a remarkable 89% are pessimistic about the prospects for the economy.

From BBC

"Given the rising cost of food and the enduring cost of living crisis for students... if that's the trade-off, then cheaper food is clearly the preference," he says.

From BBC

Ministers have always maintained that full nationalisation for any steel company is not the government's preference and the source added that it was "unlikely" the companies would be nationalised together.

From BBC

That is looking increasingly unlikely, given the number of counties that have publicly stated their preference for retaining a 14-game season.

From BBC

Related Words

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