privilege

play

noun priv·i·lege \ ˈpriv-lij , ˈpri-və- \

Definition of privilege

: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

See privilege defined for English-language learners

See privilege defined for kids

Examples of privilege in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of privilege from the Web

As in, knowing how to check your privilege without resulting to performative wokeness or venturing into Matt McGorry territory.

— john hendrickson, Esquire, "The 'Rules' of Being a Man Are Bullshit," 22 Aug. 2017
Bradley had his commercial driving privileges suspended by Florida three months before Sunday's deadly smuggling attempt, officials said.

— nomaan merchant, The Courier-Journal, "Mexican government reuniting smuggling victims with families," 27 July 2017
After the merger, all qualified doctors would have staff privileges at all hospitals to treat patients.

— phil galewitz, Kaiser Health News, "In Appalachia, Two Hospital Giants Seek State-Sanctioned Monopoly," 24 July 2017
Such privilege also explains the army’s interest in sustaining the sense of threat, and in keeping Pakistan’s politicians in check.

— The Economist, "The pushmi-pullyuWhat makes Pakistan so unfathomable," 22 July 2017
The admission fee includes privileges for most rides.

— sheila vilvens, Cincinnati.com, "Clermont County Roundup: County Fair fun, a land battle, road and light improvements in Loveland," 20 July 2017
The L&N; Band and accompanying troupes were given a free ticket for the train ride, meal privileges on the diner car plus use of a sleeper car.

— nancy stearns theiss, The Courier-Journal, "'You’re at Home on the L&N;' reminiscent of rail travel," 17 July 2017
But vilifying higher education when the entire Republican party in D.C. is based off the privilege these institutions provided them?

— veronica hilbring, Essence.com, "Majority Of Republicans Think College Is Bad For America. We're Not Kidding.," 11 July 2017
No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States.

— randy barnett, Washington Post, "What the Declaration of Independence Said and Meant," 4 July 2017

These 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.

Origin and Etymology of privilege

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin privilegium law for or against a private person, from privus private + leg-, lex law

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 12th century

See Words from the same year

privilege Synonyms

Synonyms

appanage (also apanage), boon, concession, honor

Related Words

courtesy; claim, entitlement, right; birthright; perquisite, prerogative; charter, grant, patent; exemption, immunity, waiver

Near Antonyms

burden, duty, obligation, responsibility

privilege

play

verb priv·i·lege \ ˈpriv-lij , ˈpri-və- \

Definition of privilege

privileged; privileging

transitive verb

1 :to grant a privilege to

2 :to accord a higher value or superior position to

privilege one mode of discourse over another

See privilege defined for English-language learners

Examples of privilege in a Sentence

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 “interior designer” in Oklahoma

Recent Examples of privilege from the Web

With the president who is encouraging the communications director, loves the backstabbing and conflict and chaos, who privileges personal loyalty above all else?

— matthew continetti, National Review, "Bonfire of the Insanities," 29 July 2017
But NASCAR stripped him of the postseason privileges that otherwise would come with it because of a rules violation.

— matt crossman, charlotteobserver, "Fast is not good enough for NASCAR driver Joey Logano – he needs to win," 27 July 2017
On the other hand, UX design also privileges out-of-the-box genius to solve design problems.

— ian bogost, The Atlantic, "Why a Toaster Is a Design Triumph," 20 July 2017
That system has evolved to privilege a certain kind of movie.

— adam rogers, WIRED, "Luc Besson Tests the Outer Limits With Sci-Fi Epic Valerian," 6 July 2017
We have been privileged with a good education system and role models.

— linda girardi, Aurora Beacon-News, "Fourth of July parade brings Aurora together," 4 July 2017
Windows 10 S, however, has regular Administrator accounts, and those accounts are privileged.

— peter bright, Ars Technica, "Windows 10 S security brought down by, of course, Word macros," 23 June 2017
Even so, their extravagant prices mean the young buyers who can afford the prison cell or parking lot sized units already are privileged by Hong Kong standards, said Edward Yiu, a lawmaker representing architects and surveyors.

— Washington Post, "Hong Kong’s mini apartments boom as property prices soar," 20 June 2017
Traditional masculinity has tended to privilege qualities like competition, independence and self-sufficiency.

— kory floyd, Scientific American, "Why Fathers Downplay Feelings," 18 June 2017

Origin and Etymology of privilege

see ¹privilege

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

privilege Synonyms

Synonyms

authorize, entitle, qualify

Antonyms

disqualify

Related Words

empower, enable, enfranchise, license (also licence); approve, endorse (also indorse); allow, let, permit; accredit, certificate, certify, charter [British], ratify; legitimize, sanction, validate, warrant; reaccredit, reapprove, recertify, recharter, revalidate

Near Antonyms

disable, disempower, disenfranchise; decertify; disallow, forbid, proscribe; delegitimize, invalidate, nullify

PRIVILEGE Defined for English Language Learners

privilege

play

noun

Definition of privilege for English Language Learners

: a right or benefit that is given to some people and not to others
: a special opportunity to do something that makes you proud
: the advantage that wealthy and powerful people have over other people in a society

privilege

play

verb

Definition of privilege for English Language Learners

: to give an advantage that others do not have to (someone or something)

PRIVILEGE Defined for Kids

privilege

play

noun priv·i·lege \ ˈpri-və-lij \

Definition of privilege for Students

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.

Law Dictionary

privilege

noun priv·i·lege

legal Definition of privilege

1 :a right, license, or exemption from duty or liability granted as a special benefit, advantage, or favor: as

a :an exemption from liability where an action is deemed to be justifiable (as in the case of self-defense) or because of the requirements of a position or office; also :the affirmative defense that an action is privileged — compare excuse

— absolute privilege

:a privilege that exempts a person from liability especially for defamation regardless of intent or motive; specifically :a privilege that exempts high public officials (as legislators) from liability for statements made while acting in their official capacity without regard to intent or malice

— qualified privilege

:a privilege especially in the law of defamation that may be defeated especially by a showing of actual malice — called also conditional privilege

b :an exemption from a requirement to disclose information (as for trial) that is granted because of a relationship or position that demands confidentiality

the attorney-client privilege

the doctor-patient privilege

the marital privilege

the priest-penitent privilege

— see also confidential communication

— deliberative process privilege

:a privilege exempting the government from disclosure (as in discovery) of government agency materials containing opinions, recommendations, and other communications that are part of the decision-making process within the agency

— executive privilege

:a privilege exempting the executive branch of government from disclosing communications if such disclosure would adversely affect the functions and decision-making process of that branch — see also United States v. Nixon

Note: Executive privilege is based on the separation of powers doctrine. In United States v. Nixon, the Supreme Court held that this privilege is not absolute and that without a claim of a need to protect military, diplomatic, or national security secrets, the need for evidence in a criminal trial will outweigh a general assertion of executive privilege.

— informant's privilege

:the privilege of the government to withhold the identity of an informant who has provided evidence for a criminal trial — called also informer's privilege

— journalist's privilege

:reporter's privilege in this entry

— privilege against self-incrimination

:a privilege under the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protecting a person from compulsion to make self-incriminating statements

— reporter's privilege

:a privilege protecting a reporter from compulsion to reveal information acquired in the course of gathering news — called also journalist's privilege

c :something specially permitted or granted as a matter of discretion that may be limited or taken away

right to…mooring permit is not necessarily created because discretionary state privilege was generously granted in [the] past
—National Law Journal

— compare right

d in the civil law of Louisiana :a right of a creditor conferred by the nature of a debt to have priority over the debtor's other creditors

2 :any of various fundamental or specially sacred rights considered as particularly guaranteed to all persons by a constitution and especially by the privileges and immunities clause of the U.S. Constitution