preferential
adjective
pref·er·en·tial
ˌpre-fə-ˈren(t)-shəl 
1
: showing preference
2
: employing or creating a preference in trade relations
3
: designed to permit expression of preference among candidates
a preferential primary
4
: giving preference especially in hiring to union members
a preferential shop
Examples of preferential in a Sentence
powerful people who demand preferential treatment from politicians
Recent Examples on the Web
Fin does not share this info with Liv, who shows up later and makes sure that her sergeant gets preferential treatment by the hospital’s staff.
—
Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 25 Sep. 2025
Ramaphosa, who was speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, is facing not only 30% tariffs on his country’s exports to the US, but also next week’s likely expiration of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a preferential trade deal between the US and African nations.
—Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 24 Sep. 2025
Retail banks should consider offering small business owners tangible benefits for having multiple accounts—such as preferential pricing or bundled rewards.
—Jeffrey Todd, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
One student board member also cast his preferential vote against the resolution.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preferential
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Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 25 Sep. 2025
Ramaphosa, who was speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, is facing not only 30% tariffs on his country’s exports to the US, but also next week’s likely expiration of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a preferential trade deal between the US and African nations.
—Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 24 Sep. 2025
Retail banks should consider offering small business owners tangible benefits for having multiple accounts—such as preferential pricing or bundled rewards.
—Jeffrey Todd, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
One student board member also cast his preferential vote against the resolution.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preferential
Cite this Entry
“Preferential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preferential. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
preferential
adjective
pref·er·en·tial
ˌpref-ə-ˈren-chəl
1
: of or relating to preference
2
: showing preference
preferential treatment
3
: creating or using preference in trading
4
: permitting the showing of order of preference (as of candidates in an election)
a preferential ballot
Legal Definition
preferential
adjective
pref·e·ren·tial
ˌpre-fə-ˈren-chəl
1
: of or constituting a preference
a preferential transfer
2
: giving preference to union members especially in hiring
a preferential shop
3
: showing preference
these creditors may obtain preferential treatment
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