favouritism

 
Pronunciation: /ˈfeɪv(ə)rɪtɪz(ə)m/
(US favoritism)

noun

[mass noun]
  • 1the practice of giving unfair preferential treatment to one person or group at the expense of another: my parents would vehemently deny showing favouritism towards one child in particular
  • 2the state or condition of being the competitor thought most likely to win a sporting contest: the horse shares favouritism with her French-trained rival at 6-1