preempt
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.pre·empt
verb \prē-ˈem(p)t\Definition of PREEMPT
transitive verb
1
: to acquire (as land) by preemption
2
: to seize upon to the exclusion of others : take for oneself <the movement was then preempted by a lunatic fringe>
3
: to replace with something considered to be of greater value or priority : take precedence over <the program did not appear, having been preempted by a baseball game — Robert MacNeil>
4
: to gain a commanding or preeminent place in
intransitive verb
: to make a preemptive bid in bridge
— pre·emp·tor \-ˈem(p)-tər\ noun
See Examples of PREEMPT
- The contract preempts lawsuits by the company's clients.
- The state law was preempted by a federal law.
- The President's speech preempted regular programming.
Origin of PREEMPT
back-formation from preemption
First Known Use: 1850
Related to PREEMPT
- Synonyms
- arrogate, commandeer, convert, expropriate, pirate, appropriate, press, seize, take over, usurp
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