An exemption from certain laws granted by the Pope. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}
privilege — Definition and meaning
• A particular benefit, advantage, or favor; a right or immunity enjoyed by some but not others; a prerogative, preferential treatment.
• An especially rare or fortunate opportunity; the good fortune (to do something).
• The fact of being privileged; the status or existence of (now especially social or economic) benefit or advantage within a given society.
• A right or immunity enjoyed by a legislative body or its members.
• A stock market option.
• A common law doctrine that protects certain communications from being used as evidence in court.
• An ability to perform an action on the system that can be selectively granted or denied to users.
(Verb) To grant some particular right or exemption to; to invest with a peculiar right or immunity; to authorize
• To bring or put into a condition of privilege or exemption from evil or danger; to exempt; to deliver.
• To prioritize.
The importance of privilege
privilege appears in U.S. legal practice across multiple practice areas. Knowing what it means — and when it applies — can determine the outcome of motions, filings, and negotiations. For non-lawyers, the value of looking up a precise definition is that legal terms often carry meanings that differ from everyday usage; relying on the common meaning can lead to costly missteps.
How privilege is applied
In practice, privilege is invoked when parties, judges, or attorneys need to identify the legal status of an issue, the rights of those involved, or the procedural step required next. The definition shown above is sourced from Wiktionary , which is widely cited in U.S. legal practice. Because U.S. law is jurisdictionally layered — federal, state, and sometimes local — the precise application of the term can vary by court, so check the controlling authority for your specific case.