preempt
verb
pre·empt
prē-ˈem(p)t 
preempted; preempting; preempts
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
3
a
: 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
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., 160 F.3d 1259 (1998)
Charas v. Trans World Airlines, Inc., 160 F.3d 1259 (1998)4
: to gain a commanding or preeminent place in
: to make a preemptive bid in bridge
Synonyms
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
The legislation passed, but with an effective date too late to preempt the Nov. 7 special elections.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Nov. 2023
It should be noted, too, that three localities within the state — New York City, Ithaca and Westchester County — have their own pay disclosure rules already in effect and the new ones from the state will not supersede or preempt them.
—Jeanne Sahadi, CNN, 21 Sep. 2023
But with the drama unfolding so quickly in Dallas, a shocked nation took in the raw video feeds that preempted all regular TV programming and canceled $19 million worth of commercials time (equivalent to $191 million today when adjusted for inflation).
—Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2023
Years of blockade Shortly after the 2006 elections, the Bush administration tried to force Hamas from power and bring in a rival leader from the Fatah party who was considered friendlier to Israel and the U.S. Hamas preempted the coup and took full control of Gaza in May 2007.
—Maha Nassar, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2023
In the Missouri case, a federal judge blocked the state law in March, calling it an impermissible attempt to preempt federal law and a threat to public safety.
—Ann E. Marimow, Washington Post, 20 Oct. 2023
Instead, in response to widespread efforts to ban books across the country, Hewitt said the library system wanted to survey its catalog and take steps to preempt any state efforts to ban books.
—Fabiana Chaparro, CNN, 11 Oct. 2023
The Emergency Broadcast System was created in 1963 as a way to preempt television and radio broadcasts to allow the federal government to communicate directly with viewers and listeners.
—Dominic Pino, National Review, 6 Oct. 2023
The intent is to address issues with athletes’ money-making activities that have surfaced since the NCAA lifted its ban on NIL compensation in 2021, and to establish federal standards and regulations for college athletes’ health and safety that would preempt state laws, Steve Henson reports.
—David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2023
See More
Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Nov. 2023
It should be noted, too, that three localities within the state — New York City, Ithaca and Westchester County — have their own pay disclosure rules already in effect and the new ones from the state will not supersede or preempt them.
—Jeanne Sahadi, CNN, 21 Sep. 2023
But with the drama unfolding so quickly in Dallas, a shocked nation took in the raw video feeds that preempted all regular TV programming and canceled $19 million worth of commercials time (equivalent to $191 million today when adjusted for inflation).
—Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2023
Years of blockade Shortly after the 2006 elections, the Bush administration tried to force Hamas from power and bring in a rival leader from the Fatah party who was considered friendlier to Israel and the U.S. Hamas preempted the coup and took full control of Gaza in May 2007.
—Maha Nassar, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2023
In the Missouri case, a federal judge blocked the state law in March, calling it an impermissible attempt to preempt federal law and a threat to public safety.
—Ann E. Marimow, Washington Post, 20 Oct. 2023
Instead, in response to widespread efforts to ban books across the country, Hewitt said the library system wanted to survey its catalog and take steps to preempt any state efforts to ban books.
—Fabiana Chaparro, CNN, 11 Oct. 2023
The Emergency Broadcast System was created in 1963 as a way to preempt television and radio broadcasts to allow the federal government to communicate directly with viewers and listeners.
—Dominic Pino, National Review, 6 Oct. 2023
The intent is to address issues with athletes’ money-making activities that have surfaced since the NCAA lifted its ban on NIL compensation in 2021, and to establish federal standards and regulations for college athletes’ health and safety that would preempt state laws, Steve Henson reports.
—David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'preempt.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
back-formation from preemption
First Known Use
1850, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near preempt
Cite this Entry
“Preempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preempt. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
preempt
verb
pre·empt
prē-ˈem(p)t
1
a
: to settle upon (as public land) with the right to purchase before others
b
: to take by such a right
2
: to take before someone else can : appropriate
preempt a seat at the stadium
3
: to take the place of
the president's speech preempted the regular program
Legal Definition
preempt
transitive verb
pre·empt
prē-ˈempt
1
a
: 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)
Mesa Springs Enterprises v. Cutco Indus., 736 P.2d 1251 (1986)2
a
: 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
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
National Law Journal
More from Merriam-Webster on preempt
Nglish: Translation of preempt for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of preempt for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share