preference

/ˈpre-fərn(t)s/

Middle English preferraunce, from Middle French preferance, from Medieval Latin praeferentia, from Latin praeferent-, praeferens, present participle of praeferre

noun

  1. the act of preferring : the state of being preferred

  2. the power or opportunity of choosing

  3. one that is preferred

choice option alternative preference selection election mean the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen. choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely. option implies a power to choose that is specifically granted or guaranteed.

noun

  1. sexual orientation

noun

  1. preferential treatment given qualified veterans of the U.S. armed forces under federal or state law; specifically : special consideration (as by allowance of points) on a civil service examination