preferment

noun

pre·​fer·​ment pri-ˈfər-mənt How to pronounce preferment (audio)
1
a
: advancement or promotion in dignity, office, or station
b
: a position or office of honor or profit
2
: priority or seniority in right especially to receive payment or to purchase property on equal terms with others
3
: the act of bringing forward
preferment of charges

Examples of preferment in a Sentence

He has hopes for preferment. anticipated her preferment to a better-paying position within the company
Recent Examples on the Web But what is a preferment, really? Sarah Jampel, Bon Appétit, 11 Oct. 2020 The Communist government’s leadership compound in Beijing, Zhongnanhai, more and more resembles an imperial palace where royal favorites jockey for preferment and titles. Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 13 Oct. 2022 Government patronage, rather than innovation and the service of one’s neighbor, becomes the path to preferment, and innovation is consequently replaced by lobbying and supplication for special status. Cameron Hilditch, National Review, 12 Aug. 2021 Working-class Protestants are watching the new global economy select their old tribal enemies for preferment while they themselves are left behind. Cameron Hilditch, National Review, 15 Apr. 2021 Why should the government give yet another preferment to investment in upgrading the human capital of the affluent, over the capital investments of other entrepreneurs and workers? Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 21 Nov. 2020 Think of a preferment like a head start towards fermentation. Sarah Jampel, Bon Appétit, 11 Oct. 2020 MPs’ natural wish to support their prime minister, their own ambitions for preferment and the whips’ cruel ways all make for a reluctance to rock the boat. The Economist, 21 June 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'preferment.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of preferment was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near preferment

Cite this Entry

“Preferment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preferment. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

preferment

noun
pre·​fer·​ment pri-ˈfər-mənt How to pronounce preferment (audio)
1
: advancement or promotion in dignity, office, or rank
2
: a position or office of honor or importance

Legal Definition

preferment

noun
pre·​fer·​ment pri-ˈfər-mənt How to pronounce preferment (audio)
1
: advancement or promotion in office or station
2
: the act of preferring (as charges)
without preferment of allegations
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