preferencepref·e·rence /ˈprefərəns/ noun1[countableC, uncountableU] the state of liking something more than something else, or something you like more than another thingPeople were twice as likely to change their brand preference if they liked an advertisement.
a change in consumer preference from adjustable-rate to fixed-rate mortgages
→ liquidity preference2[uncountableU]COMMERCE when a country treats some countries more favourably than others in international trade, for example through lower import taxesBritain must take a strong line with its trading partners, but without damaging Community preference (=treating goods from the European Union more favourably than others.)