preemption

US: (prē emp′shən)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

pre•emp•tion  (prē emp′shən), n. 

1. the act or right of claiming or purchasing before or in preference to others.

Also, pre-emp′tion. 

• Medieval Latin praeëmpt(us) bought beforehand (past participle of praeëmere) + -ion. See pre-, emptor
• 1595–1605

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

pre•empt or pre-empt /priˈɛmpt/   v. [~ + object]

1. to acquire (something) before someone else;
   take for oneself.
2. to take the place of by being more important, or because of rescheduling, etc.;
   supplant:
   A special news report on the earthquake preempted the game show.
3. to prevent (something anticipated) by acting first;
   head off:
   The rival company preempted our takeover bid by selling its stock.

pre•emp•tion, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

pre•empt  (prē empt′), v.t. 

1. to occupy (land) in order to establish a prior right to buy.
2. to acquire or appropriate before someone else; take for oneself;
   arrogate:
   a political issue preempted by the opposition party.
3. to take the place of because of priorities, reconsideration, rescheduling, etc.;
   supplant:
   The special newscast preempted the usual television program.

v.i. 

4. Games [Bridge.] to make a preemptive bid.
5. to forestall or prevent (something anticipated) by acting first;
   preclude;
   head off:
   an effort to preempt inflation.

n. 

6. Games [Bridge.] a preemptive bid.

Also, pre-empt′. 

• back formation from preemption 1840–50, American.

pre•emp′ti•ble, adj. 
pre•emp•tor  (prē emp′tôr, -tər), n.  pre•emp•to•ry  (prē emp′tə rē), adj.  Synonyms

• 1. claim, appropriate, usurp.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

pre-emption / prɪˈɛmpʃən/ noun

1. the purchase of or right to purchase property in advance of or in preference to others
2. the right of a government to intercept and seize for its own purposes goods or property of the subjects of another state while in transit, esp in time of war

Etymology: 16th Century: from Medieval Latin praeemptiō, from praeemere to buy beforehand, from emere to buy