preferential

adjective pref·er·en·tial \ ˌpre-fə-ˈren(t)-shəl \

Updated on: 11 Apr 2018

Definition of preferential

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

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preferentially

play \ˌpre-fə-ˈren(t)-sh(ə-)lē\ adverb

See preferential defined for English-language learners

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Examples of preferential in a Sentence

powerful people who demand preferential treatment from politicians

Recent Examples of preferential from the Web

Give the current employees at Lincoln Hills some preferential treatment in applying for jobs at the new centers.

— bill glauber, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wisconsin to close controversial youth prison by 2021, under measure signed by Gov. Scott Walker Friday," 30 Mar. 2018
The old fox is surely right in calculating that Europe will not end preferential access for Cambodian textile exports.

— The Economist, "Hun Sen, Cambodia’s ruler, has been in power too long," 22 Mar. 2018
In one video, Ramirez says infrastructure projects in their jurisdictions are given preferential treatment at the Finance Ministry.

— john quigley, Bloomberg.com, "Peru President Kuczynski Reported to Resign Ahead of Impeachment," 21 Mar. 2018
Andrew, the youngest child, was given preferential treatment amongst his siblings.

— leah silverman, Town & Country, "Who Was Andrew Cunanan's Father, Modesto 'Pete' Cunanan?," 14 Mar. 2018
Unlike every other category at the Oscars, Best Picture now requires Academy members to file a preferential voting ballot.

— scott meslow, GQ, "Oscars 2018: A Guide to Winning Your Oscar Pool," 2 Mar. 2018
Neymar has previously been given preferential treatment by Emery, such as missing games in order to celebrate his sister's birthday, a trend which has occurred four seasons in a row.

— SI.com, "Report Claims Neymar Could Leave Paris Saint-Germain if Antonio Conte Becomes Club's New Manager," 10 Mar. 2018
Does the friend get some sort of preferential treatment, maybe surprisingly plum assignments or an unwarranted bonus?

— New York Times, "When a Good Friend Becomes a Terrible Colleague," 9 Mar. 2018
Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven on Tuesday visited the White House representing the EU, seeking preferential treatment.

— jacob schlesinger, WSJ, "Trump Tariff Plan Challenges Trade System U.S. Helped Build," 8 Mar. 2018

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

First Known Use of preferential

1849

PREFERENTIAL Defined for English Language Learners

preferential

adjective

Definition of preferential for English Language Learners

: giving an advantage to a particular person or group

Law Dictionary

preferential

adjective pref·e·ren·tial \ ˌpre-fə-ˈren-chəl \

legal Definition of preferential

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

Learn More about preferential

See words that rhyme with preferential Spanish Central: Translation of preferential Nglish: Translation of preferential for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of preferential for Arabic speakers

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preferential

Definition of preferential

preferentially

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preferential

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preferential

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preferentially

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