Preferential treatment refers to giving someone or something special favor, advantage, or priority over others. It is often used in a negative connotation when referring to unfair or unjustified preferences given to certain individuals or groups based on their social status, wealth, power, race, gender, age, etc., at the expense of others who are not receiving such treatment. For example, if someone gets hired for a job because they know someone in high places rather than being chosen based on merit and qualifications, that would be an instance of preferential treatment.