# preferment

> English word · Noun · IPA /pɹɪˈfəːmənt/ · frequency rank #84,627

## Definitions
1. Prior claim (on payment, or on purchasing something); the first rights to obtain a particular payment or product.
2. The fact of being pushed or advanced to a more favourable situation; furtherance, promotion (of a candidate, action, undertaking etc.).
3. Advancement to a higher position or office; promotion.
4. A position (especially in the Church of England) that provides profit or prestige.
5. The fact of preferring something; preference.

## Etymology
From Middle English preferment, preferrement, prefferment; equivalent to prefer + -ment.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/preferment