Privilege Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Privilege, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Privilege?

History and Meaning of Privilege

The term privilege comes from the Latin word "privilegium," which means a law for an individual person. In legal terms, privilege refers to a special right, immunity, or exemption granted to a person or group of people, often based on social status or identity. Privilege can be conferred by law or by culture, and it can operate at the individual or institutional level. However, privilege is often associated with advantages or benefits that are not equally available to everyone.

Examples of Privilege

1. White privilege: the societal advantages and benefits that white people receive based on their skin color, such as being less likely to experience discrimination or being more likely to be hired for a job.

2. Male privilege: the advantages and benefits that males receive based on their gender, such as being paid more for doing the same job as a woman or being taken more seriously by authority figures.

3. Wealth privilege: the advantages and benefits that wealthy individuals receive based on their financial status, such as having access to better education or healthcare or being able to secure loans or investments more easily.

Legal Terms Similar to Privilege

1. Immunity: a legal protection that exempts individuals or groups from certain laws or penalties.

2. Exemption: a legal or institutional exemption from certain rules or requirements, often based on religious or cultural beliefs.

3. Entitlement: a legal or cultural right or claim to a certain benefit or resource.