Preference | Mean of preference in English Dictionary

/ˈprɛfrəns/

• Noun
• a feeling of liking or wanting one person or thing more than another person or thing
1. Car buyers have recently shown a growing/strong preference for smaller vehicles.
2. When it comes to music, everyone has their own preferences.
3. Some people like small cars and some people like big cars. It's a matter of personal preference.
4. She listed her favorite restaurants in order of preference.
5. He has tried not to show preference in giving out jobs.
• an advantage that is given to some people or things and not to others
1. The policy of the school is to give preference to minority candidates.
• something that is liked or wanted more than another thing
1. We could drive to New York, but my (personal) preference is to go by train. [=I would prefer to go by train]
2. “We could go to an Italian or Chinese restaurant tonight. What's your preference?” “Either one is fine. I don't have a preference.”

• the sexual feelings that a person has
1. people with different (sexual) preferences [=orientations]
2. The company claims it does not discriminate on the basis of sexual preference.
• instead of (something or someone)
1. They chose her in preference to me.