/ ˈprɪvəlɪdʒ; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
[ C ] a special right or advantage that a particular person or group of people has :
Education should be a universal right and not a privilege.
You can enjoy all the benefits and privileges of club membership.
2.
[ U ] ( disapproving ) the rights and advantages that rich and powerful people in a society have :
As a member of the nobility, his life had been one of wealth and privilege.
3.
[ sing. ] something that you are proud and lucky to have the opportunity to do
SYN honour :
I hope to have the privilege of working with them again.
It was a great privilege to hear her sing.
4.
[ C , U ] ( technical ) a special right to do or say things without being punished :
parliamentary privilege (= the special right of members of parliament to say particular things without risking legal action)
■ verb
[ vn ] ( formal ) to give sb/sth special rights or advantages that others do not have
SYN favour :
education policies that privilege the children of wealthy parents
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : via Old French from Latin privilegium bill or law affecting an individual, from privus private + lex , leg- law.