preferential
adjective
pref·er·en·tial
ˌpre-fə-ˈren(t)-shəl 
1
: showing preference
2
: employing or creating a preference in trade relations
3
: designed to permit expression of preference among candidates
a preferential primary
4
: giving preference especially in hiring to union members
a preferential shop
Examples of preferential in a Sentence
powerful people who demand preferential treatment from politicians
Recent Examples on the Web
Retail banks should consider offering small business owners tangible benefits for having multiple accounts—such as preferential pricing or bundled rewards.
—
Jeffrey Todd, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
One student board member also cast his preferential vote against the resolution.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2025
White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said Trump had ended the preferential treatment given to some sectors of the energy industry under his predecessor.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2025
In July 2024, the Russian government ended its preferential mortgage program, which had kept rates artificially low at 8 percent over the previous four years.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preferential
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Jeffrey Todd, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
One student board member also cast his preferential vote against the resolution.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2025
White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said Trump had ended the preferential treatment given to some sectors of the energy industry under his predecessor.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2025
In July 2024, the Russian government ended its preferential mortgage program, which had kept rates artificially low at 8 percent over the previous four years.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preferential
Cite this Entry
“Preferential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preferential. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
preferential
adjective
pref·er·en·tial
ˌpref-ə-ˈren-chəl
1
: of or relating to preference
2
: showing preference
preferential treatment
3
: creating or using preference in trading
4
: permitting the showing of order of preference (as of candidates in an election)
a preferential ballot
Legal Definition
preferential
adjective
pref·e·ren·tial
ˌpre-fə-ˈren-chəl
1
: of or constituting a preference
a preferential transfer
2
: giving preference to union members especially in hiring
a preferential shop
3
: showing preference
these creditors may obtain preferential treatment
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