mid-15c., "advancement in position or status;" 1650s as "act of prefering," from Middle French preference (14c., Modern French préférence), from Medieval Latin preferentia, from past participle stem of Latin praeferrere (see prefer). Sense of "that which one prefers" is from 1852.
权威例句
1. The Pentagon will give preference to companies which do business electronically.
美国国防部将会优先考虑那些能够进行电子商务的公司。
2. He has demonstrated a strong preference for being shod in running shoes.
他给人的感觉是特别偏爱穿跑步鞋。
3. He let his preference be known to the press.
他向记者公开了他的偏好。
4. Many of these products were bought in preference to their own.