Privilege

/ˈpɹɪv.(ɪ.)lɪd͡ʒ/ · noun

Meaning

(ecclesiastical law, now chiefly historical) An exemption from certain laws granted by the Pope..

Definitions by Sense

1. (ecclesiastical law, now chiefly historical) An exemption from certain laws granted by the Pope.
2. (countable) A particular benefit, advantage, or favor; a right or immunity enjoyed by some but not others; a prerogative, preferential treatment.
3. An especially rare or fortunate opportunity; the good fortune (to do something).
4. (uncountable) The fact of being privileged; the status or existence of (now especially social or economic) benefit or advantage within a given society.
5. A right or immunity enjoyed by a legislative body or its members.
6. (countable, US, finance, now rare) A stock market option.
7. (law) A common law doctrine that protects certain communications from being used as evidence in court.
8. (computing) An ability to perform an action on the system that can be selectively granted or denied to users.

Example Sentences

All first-year professors here must teach four courses a term, yet you're only teaching one! What entitled you to such a privilege?

Special privileges should be reserved for family and village life, while steps should be taken to prevent families and family ownings from being broken up by inheritance.

I had the privilege to sit near him in the House for a small part of his Commons service and there was an additional device provided to aid his participation in debates.

South Africa's 'miracle transition' has not put an end to white privilege.

People who at any other time would cling like glue to their miserable scraps of privilege, will surrender them fast enough when their country is in danger.

There is no complexity expressed in the feverish discussions of white privilege that periodically grips South Africa's chattering class.

Dr Grigori Loutchansky is – according to a congressman speaking under congressional privilege – a "purported Russian mob figure".

Your honor, my client is not required to answer that; her response is protected by attorney-client privilege.

Synonyms for privilege

Antonyms for privilege

Related Words

Word Forms

• privileges
• priviledg
• priviledge
• privileging
• privileged

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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