prēˈfərmənt, prə̇-, -fə̄m-, sometimes ˈprefə(r)m- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English preferrement, from preferren to prefer + -ment
1.
a. : advancement or promotion in dignity, office, or station
he could see lesser musicians receiving preferment , and it galled him — Howard Taubman
b. : a position or office of honor or profit
2. obsolete : an act of preference or choice
3. : priority or seniority in right especially to receive payment or to purchase property on equal terms with others
4. : the act of making, bringing, or laying
feared that preferment of charges would quickly follow discovery