preempt

Or pre-empt

[pree-empt]

verb (used with object)

1. to occupy (land) in order to establish a prior right to buy.

   Synonyms: usurp, appropriate, claim

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.

4. to forestall or prevent (something anticipated) by acting first; preclude; head off.

   an effort to preempt inflation.

verb (used without object)

1. Bridge.,  to make a preemptive bid.

noun

1. Bridge.,  a preemptive bid.

Other Word Forms

• preemptible adjective
• preemptor noun
• preemptory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of preempt¹

An Americanism first recorded in 1840–50; back formation from preemption

Example Sentences

This is despite being preempted in 23% of U.S. households, in markets where ABC affiliates are owned by Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Media Group, station chains that persist in refusing to air the show.

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Shortly before Disney announced Kimmel’s initial suspension, TV station groups Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group each said they would preempt the show and have said they will not bring it back.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

There are only so many times a network affiliate like Sinclair can preempt a network show.

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Two major owners of ABC affiliates dropped the show, after which ABC said it would be “preempted indefinitely.”

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The late-night program has been dark since Wednesday, when the Disney-owned ABC network announced in a terse statement that it will be “preempted indefinitely.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times