preemption

American  

[pree-emp-shuhn] / priˈɛmp ʃən /

Or pre-emption

noun

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

2. Law.

   1. Also called federal preemption.  the doctrine that federal law takes precedence over state law when the two conflict.

   2. Also called state preemption.  the doctrine that state law takes precedence over local law, such as county or municipal legislation, when the two conflict.

3. Military. a policy of attacking first when there is imminent threat of attack by an enemy, or an enactment of this policy: The possibility of preemption is of grave concern to several Pentagon officials.

   Preemption only works if there is sufficient intelligence capacity.

   The possibility of preemption is of grave concern to several Pentagon officials.

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Etymology

Origin of preemption

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Medieval Latin praeëmpt(us) “bought beforehand” (past participle of praeëmere ) + -ion; see pre-, emptor; see also redeem ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

preemption

The court "misunderstands FIFRA's requirement, misinterprets the scope of FIFRA's preemption and ultimately leaves Durness without a remedy for the significant harms he has suffered."

From Barron's ● Jun. 25, 2026

For instance, a packaging company, retailer or distributor can claim that they have such a preemption, Kar said, and CalRecycle might not immediately review that claim.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 7, 2026

Over the six days between the show’s preemption and its return, celebrities and influencers posted instructions on how to cancel subscriptions to Disney’s streaming services.

From Salon ● Sep. 26, 2025

Whenever that happens, the Constitution’s supremacy clause says federal law wins: Under what’s known as the preemption doctrine, federal law is the “supreme Law of the Land” and overrides the conflicting state law.

From Slate ● Apr. 22, 2024

To such an extent was the right of preemption used that many squatters seriously crippled themselves, the price paid being too high for grazing to be remunerative on their freehold lands.

From Our First Half-Century: A Review of Queensland Progress Based Upon Official Information by Queensland