privilege
noun
priv·i·lege
| \ Ëpriv-lij
, Ëpri-vÉ-\
, Ëpri-vÉ-\
Definition of privilege
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a right or immunity granted as a peculiar benefit, advantage, or favor : prerogative
especially
: such a right or immunity attached specifically to a position or an office
privilege
verb
privileged;
privileging
Definition of privilege (Entry 2 of 2)
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Synonyms & Antonyms for privilege
Synonyms: Noun
appanage (also apanage), boon, concession, honor
Synonyms: Verb
Antonyms: Verb
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Examples of privilege in a Sentence
Noun
It is evolving into an elite institution, open chiefly to the well-educated few. In short, marriage is becoming yet another form of privilege. — Barbara Dafoe Whitehead, Commonweal, 2 Dec. 2005 The oldest of the students, she had become a confidante of Fern's and she alone was allowed to call her by her first name. It was not a privilege the others coveted. — Edward P. Jones, The Known World, 2003 But the two were grown in the same petri dish of power, prep school and privilege. — Howard Fineman, Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2000 Good health care should be a right and not a privilege. We had the privilege of being invited to the party. I had the privilege of knowing your grandfather. He lived a life of wealth and privilege.Verb
The new tax laws unfairly privilege the rich. only professionals who meet the education and experience requirements set by law are privileged to use the title âinterior designerâ in Oklahoma
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Logan has kept each of his children in a bubbleâof secrecy, of privilege, of self-regardâand in doing so, has done them no favors. — Rachel Syme, The New Republic, "How Succession Skewers the Rich," 9 Sep. 2019 Health care is a right, not a privilege, available in most developed societies. — Dp Opinion, The Denver Post, "Letters: Tired cry of âsocialismâ; Overly optimistic for our planet (8/27/19)," 27 Aug. 2019 The Politician paints a winking tableau of privilege, as if the sociopathy of Heathers or Cruel Intentions and the kooky anachronisms of Wes Anderson were shaken through the sieve of contemporary political correctness. — Vogue, "Ben Platt on His Next Act: A Star Turn in Ryan Murphy's The Politician," 20 Aug. 2019 What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer! — The Rev. Ellin Dize, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Dize: Never be surprised by the venue God chooses to encapsulate your unsuspecting soul," 16 Aug. 2019 Presumably, thatâs the intent of the filmmakers, who seem more interested in asking questions â about privilege, prejudice and more â than providing answers. — Michael O'sullivan, Twin Cities, "âLuceâ tackles racial privilege and prejudice by raising a million questions â then refuses to answer any of them," 12 Aug. 2019 So scary are the consequences of a collapse of white privilege that many Americans have flocked to a political platform that supports and translates violence against the defenseless as strength. — Hillel Italie, The Christian Science Monitor, "Author Toni Morrison remembered for her 'visionary force'," 6 Aug. 2019 This is not just a story about identity, privilege, and power. — Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, "Naomi Watts reveals Octavia Spencer is the reason she joined Luce," 31 July 2019 But this white male privilege varied substantially by state. — Eric Hoyt, The Conversation, "Why Trumpâs stoking of white racial resentment is effective â but makes all working-class Americans worse off," 29 July 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Corporate interests have privileged access to trade negotiations in a way that unions, environmentalists, and other stakeholders do not. — Daniel W. Drezner, Twin Cities, "Daniel Drezner: Warrenâs trade plan is bad politics and worse policy," 1 Aug. 2019 Boris Johnsonâs upbringing was privileged but contingent. — Sam Knight, The New Yorker, "The Empty Promise of Boris Johnson," 13 June 2019 Today begins the first full week of Northern Hemisphere summer, the start of the languid days of disconnect for worker bees who are vacation-privileged. — The Christian Science Monitor, "What really makes us what we are?," 25 June 2019 Which means that the Constitution should be construed in the bright light cast by the Declarationâs statement of the Founding generationâs general intention to privilege liberty. — George Will, Twin Cities, "George Will: To construe the Constitution, look to the Declaration," 4 July 2019 Which means that the Constitution should be construed in the bright light cast by the Declarationâs statement of the Founding generationâs general intention to privilege liberty. — George Will, National Review, "To Construe the Constitution, Look to the Declaration," 4 July 2019 The Department of Justice took Microsoft to trial and won, setting the precedent that technology companies can't maintain monopolistic power by privileging their products. — CNN, "Silicon Valley is changing the world. It must do more to ensure everyone benefits," 25 June 2019 Traditional masculinity has tended to privilege qualities like competition, independence and self-sufficiency. — The Conversation, oregonlive.com, "This is how many dads express their love for sons," 16 June 2019 In turn, racial prejudice confers social privilege to some and social and physical disparities to others, and is widely expressed in hierarchies that privilege people with white skin over people with darker skin colors. — Erin Blakemore, National Geographic, "Race and ethnicity: How are they different?," 12 June 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'privilege.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for privilege
privilege
noun
English Language Learners Definition of privilege
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a right or benefit that is given to some people and not to others
: a special opportunity to do something that makes you proud
somewhat formal
: the advantage that wealthy and powerful people have over other people in a society
privilege
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of privilege (Entry 2 of 2)
formal
: to give an advantage that others do not have to (someone or something)
See the full definition for privilege in the English Language Learners Dictionary
privilege
noun
priv·i·lege
| \ Ëpri-vÉ-lij
\
\
Kids Definition of privilege
1
: a right or liberty granted as a favor or benefit especially to some and not others
2
: an opportunity that is special and pleasant
I had the privilege of meeting the president.