preference

noun

pref·er·ence | \ ˈpre-fərn(t)s

, ˈpre-f(ə-)rən(t)s\

Definition of preference

1a : 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 sense 2b sexual preference

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about preference

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Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 on the Web

After unsuccessfully applying for a grant, Los Angeles filed suit and won a ruling from a federal judge that the COPS program did not authorize bidding preferences for aiding in immigration enforcement. — Bob Egelko, SFChronicle.com, "Ninth Circuit Court says it’s OK for feds to favor non-sanctuary cities in funding," 12 July 2019 CEO Katrina Lake founded the company on the idea that bricks-and-mortar retailers failed to adapt to evolving consumer preferences. — Maria Halkias, Dallas News, "Retail Therapy: A few disruptors, Rent the Runway, Stitch Fix and Peloton, came to Texas to grow," 12 July 2019 This is putting enormous pressure on MNCs to modify and modernise their supply chains to keep pace with advancing innovations and evolving consumer preferences. — The Economist, "Global supply chainsSupply chains are undergoing a dramatic transformation," 11 July 2019 Out of the team with Sean Dyche's preference for McNeil. — SI.com, "Burnley Fantasy Football: Every Clarets Player's Price in 2019/20 Game Revealed," 10 July 2019 Zoom will introduce an update to allow users to apply video preferences from their first call to all future calls. — Brett Molina, USA TODAY, "Zoom flaw could leave Mac cameras vulnerable, says researcher," 9 July 2019 The company emphasized that if a user has selected the video option off in the setting, neither the host nor any other participant could override that preference. — Michelle Cheng, Quartz at Work, "Zoom has reconsidered its response to a security flaw and is promising new fixes," 9 July 2019 The Iowa caucuses, a series of party-run, local-level organizing meetings that adopted a presidential preference element more than 50 years ago, have come under increasing criticism in the past decade for their fixed evening time and place. — Thomas Beaumont, BostonGlobe.com, "Iowa, Nevada to launch caucus voting by phone for 2020," 8 July 2019 This is a three-decade tradition that has cycled through different generations, created and restocked legends and won with the various playing styles and preferences of six national team coaches. — Jerry Brewer, The Denver Post, "Brewer: U.S. women’s soccer team is just one part of a larger wave of female activism," 4 July 2019

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.

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Statistics for preference

Last Updated

16 Jul 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for preference

The first known use of preference was in 1673

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More Definitions for preference

preference

noun

English Language Learners Definition of preference

: 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

See the full definition for preference in the English Language Learners Dictionary

preference

noun

pref·er·ence | \ ˈpre-fə-rəns

, ˈpref-rəns\

Kids Definition of preference

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.

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