The noun preference has 4 senses (first 2 from tagged texts)
1. (2) preference, penchant, predilection, taste -- (a strong liking; "my own preference is for good literature"; "the Irish have a penchant for blarney")
2. (2) predilection, preference, orientation -- (a predisposition in favor of something; "a predilection for expensive cars"; "his sexual preferences"; "showed a Marxist orientation")
3. preference, druthers -- (the right or chance to choose; "given my druthers, I'd eat cake")
4. preference -- (grant of favor or advantage to one over another (especially to a country or countries in matters of international trade, such as levying duties))