I. priv ‧ i ‧ lege 1 W3 /ˈprɪvəlɪdʒ, ˈprɪvɪlɪdʒ/ BrE AmE noun
[ Date: 1100-1200 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: Latin privilegium 'law for or against a private person' , from privatus ( ⇨ ↑ private 1 ) + lex 'law' ]
1 . [countable] a special advantage that is given only to one person or group of people:
He had no special privileges and was treated just like every other prisoner.
privilege of
the privilege of a good education
2 . [singular] something that you are lucky to have the chance to do, and that you enjoy very much
the privilege of doing something
Today, we have the privilege of listening to two very unusual men.
the privilege to do something
I had the great privilege to play for Yorkshire.
It is a privilege to hear her play.
3 . [uncountable] a situation in which people who are rich or of a high social class have many more advantages than other people:
wealth and privilege
4 . [uncountable] a situation in which doctors, lawyers etc are allowed to keep information about their discussions with their patients or ↑ client s secret from other people
5 . [uncountable and countable] the right to do or say something unacceptable without being punished, especially in Parliament
breach of privilege (=a breaking of the rules about what a Member of Parliament can do or say)
II. privilege 2 BrE AmE verb [transitive] formal
to treat some people or things better than others