preference

noun

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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 If your preference leans towards silicone, this strap should be your top choice. — Braelyn Wood, Health.com, "The 6 Best Face Mask Extenders to Make Your Face Covering More Comfortable," 11 Sep. 2020 In a public statement in August, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence announced that those countries' influence operations did each indicate a preference: China and Iran primarily denigrated Trump, and Russia sought to hurt Biden. — NBC News, "Russia, China and Iran launched cyberattacks on presidential campaigns, Microsoft says," 10 Sep. 2020 Their preference, Wednesday night, was to stop playing, according to Wojnarowski. — Roy Parry, orlandosentinel.com, "NBA players reportedly decide to resume playoffs after boycott," 27 Aug. 2020 Much of the rest of Ahmari’s imagined trajectory for the future of conservatism is held together by a kind of dream logic, by which favored things are placed together in a mishmash of happenstance and preference, not intellectual coherence. — Jack Butler, National Review, "The Dreams of Sohrab Ahmari," 26 Aug. 2020 Our Ben Goessling made a strong point on the podcast, noting that there tends to be a preference — particularly among the media — for the known over the unknown. — Michael Rand, Star Tribune, "Young Vikings cornerbacks will be tested by NFL's toughest slate of quarterbacks," 20 Aug. 2020 Trump’s preference to focus more on messaging rather than a policy agenda. — Jonathan Lemire, The Denver Post, "Four more years? Trump struggles to outline second term plan.," 16 July 2020 Another is the preference among investors for owning government bonds, which carry high credit ratings, during periods of heightened uncertainty. — Russ Wiles, The Arizona Republic, "This recession has exposed key myths, misconceptions about the economy. Here's how," 13 July 2020 In characteristic style, Mr. Trump backed his preference for bilateral trade deals over multilateral affairs with a threat – to veto all nominations to the seven-judge appellate body and thus disarm it. — Peter Ford, The Christian Science Monitor, "Power shift: How America’s retreat is reshaping global affairs," 26 June 2020

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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Last Updated

19 Sep 2020

Cite this Entry

“Preference.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preference. Accessed 28 Sep. 2020.

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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

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