preempt

verb

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pre·empt | \ prē-ˈem(p)t

preempted; preempting; preempts

Definition of preempt

transitive verb

1 : to acquire (something, such 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

3a : 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

b law : to replace or supersede (a law) or bar (an action) by the doctrine of preemption In so doing, the Court held that Congress did not intend to preempt common law contract claims. — Charas v. Trans World Airlines, Inc.

4 : to gain a commanding or preeminent place in

5 : to prevent from happening or taking place : forestall, preclude

intransitive verb

: to make a preemptive bid in bridge

Other Words from preempt Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About preempt

Examples of preempt in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples on the Web According to a CNN Business report, ABC is planning to preempt regular programming for special reports about the hearing. — Tamia Fowlkes, Journal Sentinel, 21 July 2022 Rosenworcel's probe could be the first step toward stronger action—but the agency's authority in this area is in peril because Congress is debating a data privacy law that could preempt the FCC from regulating carriers' privacy practices. — Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 21 July 2022 According to a CNN Business report, ABC is planning to preempt regular programming for special reports about the hearing. — Tamia Fowlkes, Journal Sentinel, 11 July 2022 In addition to thorough coverage on cable, the big three broadcast networks -- ABC, NBC, and CBS -- are planning to preempt regular programming for special reports about the hearing. — Brian Stelter, CNN, 12 June 2022 The brief’s argument that FIFRA does not expressly preempt state-law liability claims is a straight rehash of the Ninth Circuit’s flawed, facile reasoning in Hardeman. — Glenn G. Lammi, Forbes, 1 June 2022 The department's top legal official, Seema Nanda, said OSHA rules preempt conflicting state laws or orders, including those that bar employers from requiring vaccinations, testing or masks. — Democrat-gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 5 Nov. 2021 The department's top legal official, Seema Nanda, said OSHA rules preempt conflicting state laws or orders, including those that bar employers from requiring vaccinations, testing or face masks. — David Koenig, ajc, 4 Nov. 2021 The department’s top legal official, Seema Nanda, said OSHA rules preempt conflicting state laws or orders, including those that bar employers from requiring vaccinations, testing or face masks. — BostonGlobe.com, 4 Nov. 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'preempt.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

2 Aug 2022

Cite this Entry

“Preempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preempt. Accessed 9 Aug. 2022.

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More Definitions for preempt

preempt

transitive verb

pre·empt | \ prē-ˈempt

Legal Definition of preempt

1a : to acquire (land) by preemption

b : to seize upon to the exclusion of others : take for oneself a senior user of a trademark could not preempt use of the mark in remote geographical markets — Mesa Springs Enterprises v. Cutco Indus., 736 P.2d 1251 (1986)

2a : to replace or supersede (a law) by preemption such state laws are not preempted by the federal Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 — National Law Journal

b : to preclude or bar (an action) by preemption federal airline deregulation does not preempt claims under state contract law — National Law Journal