preference

noun pref·er·ence \ ˈpre-fərn(t)s , ˈpre-f(ə-)rən(t)s \

Updated on: 10 Apr 2018

Definition of preference

1 a : the act of preferring : the state of being preferred

b : the power or opportunity of choosing

2 : one that is preferred

3 : the act, fact, or principle of giving advantages to some over others

4 : priority in the right to demand and receive satisfaction of an obligation

5 : orientation 2b

sexual preference

See preference defined for English-language learners

See preference defined for kids

Examples of preference in a Sentence

Car buyers have recently shown a growing preference for smaller vehicles.
When it comes to music, everyone has their own preferences.
Some people like small cars and some people like big cars. It's a matter of personal preference.
She listed her favorite restaurants in order of preference.
He has tried not to show preference in giving out jobs.
The policy of the school is to give preference to minority candidates.
“We could go to an Italian or Chinese restaurant tonight. What's your preference?” “Either one is fine. I don't have a preference.”

Recent Examples of preference from the Web

Despite King’s father expressing the family’s preference for nonviolence, in the 10 days following King’s death, nearly 200 cities experienced looting, arson or sniper fire, and 54 of those cities saw more than $100,000 in property damage.

— lorraine boissoneault, Smithsonian, "Martin Luther King Jr.’s Assassination Sparked Uprisings in Cities Across America," 4 Apr. 2018
And a 2017 study found that children’s preferences for gendered toys were not much changed in countries known to be more egalitarian.

— alex morris, The Cut, "Is it possible to raise your child entirely without gender from birth? Some parents are trying.," 3 Apr. 2018
The business district would like to bring those down, taking into account the more recent preference for walking and ride-share services like Uber.

— hillary davis, latimes.com, "Demand for parking is high in Corona del Mar, study finds, but off-street options are underutilized," 30 Mar. 2018
But many of industry's passenger cars have wilted as declining gasoline prices and preferences for roomier rides took a toll.

— nathan bomey, USA TODAY, "New York Auto Show: How Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord will survive the car plague," 26 Mar. 2018
Delrahim’s preference for asset sales over behavioral fixes raises the bar for getting vertical deals approved.

— Bloomberg.com, "Why More Than Just the AT&T-Time Warner Deal Is on Trial," 19 Mar. 2018
In a future study, Harari hopes to measure pheromone levels in both adolescents and older adults to see if that can explain the males’ suicidal preference for older lady spiders.

— National Geographic, "How Older Widow Spiders Seduce Younger Males—And Eat Them," 19 Mar. 2018
The only thing believed to be an issue, on Madrid's end, is Cristiano Ronaldo's preference for playing with Karim Benzema.

— SI.com, "Report: Real Madrid Has Deal in Place to Sign Lewandowski From Bayern," 16 Mar. 2018
But before that can occur, streaming services will have to adapt to the idiosyncrasies of African markets, such as, says Watson, consumers' preference for buying prepaid phone and data credit as opposed to long-term subscriptions.

— richard smirke, Billboard, "Why Labels Are Looking to Africa to Find the Next Global Pop Star," 9 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'preference.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of preference

Middle English preferraunce, from Middle French preferance, from Medieval Latin praeferentia, from Latin praeferent-, praeferens, present participle of praeferre

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1673

See Words from the same year

preference Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of preference

choice, option, alternative, preference, selection, election mean the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen. choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely.

- freedom of choice

option implies a power to choose that is specifically granted or guaranteed.

- the option of paying now or later

alternative implies a need to choose one and reject another possibility.

- equally attractive alternatives

preference suggests a choice guided by one's judgment or predilections.

- a preference for cool weather

selection implies a range of choice.

- a varied selection of furniture

election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment.

- doing a tax return forces certain elections on you

PREFERENCE Defined for English Language Learners

preference

noun

Definition of preference for English Language Learners

: a feeling of liking or wanting one person or thing more than another person or thing
: an advantage that is given to some people or things and not to others
: something that is liked or wanted more than another thing : something that is preferred

PREFERENCE Defined for Kids

preference

noun pref·er·ence \ ˈpre-fə-rəns , ˈpref-rəns \

Definition of preference for Students

1 : a choosing of or special liking for one person or thing rather than another or others

Buyers are showing a preference for small cars.

2 : the power or chance to choose : choice

I gave him his preference.

3 : a person or thing that is liked or wanted more than another

My preference is to travel by train.

Law Dictionary

preference

noun pref·er·ence \ ˈpre-frəns, -fə-rəns \

legal Definition of preference

1 : the right to prior payment of a debt

with preference over the creditors of the heirs or legatees
—Louisiana Civil Code

2 : the transfer of an insolvent debtor's interest in property to a creditor for an earlier debt that gives the creditor more than the creditor would otherwise receive (as under a bankruptcy settlement) — called also voidable preference; compare antecedent debt at debt, fraudulent conveyance, general assignment at assignment

Note: Preferences can be voided by a bankruptcy trustee because they diminish the bankruptcy estate out of which other creditors will be paid. Preferences must be made during a period (as 90 days before the date of filing a bankruptcy petition) established by bankruptcy law in order to be voidable. Perfection or grant of a security interest during this period is also a preference. The bankruptcy law states exceptions under which payments to creditors are not voidable preferences.

3 : priority