(1) The right to access a specific database object in a specific way. Privileges are controlled by users with SYSADM (system administrator) authority or DBADM (database administrator) authority or by creators of objects. For example, privileges can include rights to create, delete, and retrieve data from tables.
(2) The capability of performing a specific function, sometimes on a specific object. See also authority level, authorization.
(3) In SQL, a capability given to a user by the processing of a GRANT statement.