• (British) IPA: /pɹɪˈfəːmənt/

preferment

1. (now historical) Prior claim (on payment, or on purchasing something); the first rights to obtain a particular payment or product. [from 15th c.]
2. (obsolete) The fact of being pushed or advanced to a more favourable situation; furtherance, promotion (of a candidate, action, undertaking etc.). [15th–17th c.]
   • 1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 12, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes, […], book II, printed at London: By Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], OCLC 946730821 ↗:

     A mind warranted from prejudice, hath a marvellous preferment {{transterm

3. Advancement to a higher position or office; promotion. [from 15th c.]
4. A position (especially in the Church of England) that provides profit or prestige. [from 16th c.]
5. (now rare) The fact of preferring something; preference. [from 16th c.]

preferment (plural preferments)

1. A mixture of flour, water and yeast that is allowed to ferment prior to another baking process

• prefermentation