1. A right reserved exclusively by a particular person or group occupying a particular rank or position, especially a hereditary or official right: As president of the company, Mr. Smith felt that he had the prerogative of choosing the person who would replace him when he retired.
2. A privilege or right that allows a particular person or group to give orders or to make decisions and judgments: Well, if Tom would rather sell his football tickets instead of using them, that's his prerogative.
3. The right conferred by a natural advantage that places someone in a position of superiority: Getting a seat on a full bus is one of the prerogatives of being a senior citizen.
4. The power or right of a monarch or government to do something or to be exempt from something: Parking in normally restrictive areas in the city is a prerogative of Mayor Dawson's chauffeur.
5. Etymology: from Old French prerogative, Medieval Latin (about 700-1500) prerogativa, "special right"; from Latin prærogativa, "prerogative, previous choice or election"; originally (with tribus, centuria), "unit of 100 voters who by lot voted first in the Roman comita"; feminine of prærogativus, "chosen to vote first"; from prærogere, "to ask before others"; from præ-, "before" + rogare, "to ask". © ALL rights are reserved.

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