/ ˈprefrəns; NAmE / noun
1.
[ U , sing. ] preference (for sb/sth) a greater interest in or desire for sb/sth than sb/sth else :
It's a matter of personal preference .
Many people expressed a strong preference for the original plan.
I can't say that I have any particular preference.
Let's make a list of possible speakers, in order of preference .
2.
[ C ] a thing that is liked better or best :
a study of consumer preferences
➡ note at choice
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IDIOMS
- give (a) preference to sb/sth
- in preference to sb/sth
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (in the sense promotion ): from Old French , from medieval Latin praeferentia , from Latin praeferre carry in front, from prae before + ferre to bear, carry.