Definition of "privilege"

privilege

/ˈpɹɪv(ɪ)lɪd͡ʒ/

noun
countable and uncountable, plural privileges
1. (ecclesiastical law, now chiefly historical) An exemption from certain laws granted by the Pope.
2. (countable) A particular benefit, advantage, or favor; a right or immunity enjoyed by some but not others; a prerogative, preferential treatment.
3. An especially rare or fortunate opportunity; the good fortune (to do something).
  Quotations
  I had the privilege to sit near him in the House for a small part of his Commons service and there was an additional device provided to aid his participation in debates.
  2012, The Observer, letter, 29 April
4. (uncountable) The fact of being privileged; the status or existence of (now especially social or economic) benefit or advantage within a given society.
  Quotations
  People who at any other time would cling like glue to their miserable scraps of privilege, will surrender them fast enough when their country is in danger.
  1941, George Orwell, The Lion and the Unicorn, Pt. III
  There is no complexity expressed in the feverish discussions of white privilege that periodically grips South Africa's chattering class.
  2013 October 21, Azad Essa, “South Africa's 'miracle transition' has not put an end to white privilege”, in The Guardian‎, Guardian Media Group
  South Africa's 'miracle transition' has not put an end to white privilege.
  2013, The Guardian, 21 Oct, (headline)
5. A right or immunity enjoyed by a legislative body or its members.
  Quotations
  Dr Grigori Loutchansky is – according to a congressman speaking under congressional privilege – a "purported Russian mob figure".
  2001, The Guardian, leader, 1 May
6. (countable, US, finance, now rare) A stock market option.
7. (law) A common law doctrine that protects certain communications from being used as evidence in court.
8. (computing) An ability to perform an action on the system that can be selectively granted or denied to users.
verb
third-person singular simple present privileges, present participle privileging, simple past and past participle privileged
1. (archaic) To grant some particular right or exemption to; to invest with a peculiar right or immunity; to authorize
2. (archaic) To bring or put into a condition of privilege or exemption from evil or danger; to exempt; to deliver.