pre-empt

/ prɪˈɛmpt /

verb

1. (tr) to acquire in advance of or to the exclusion of others; appropriate

2. (tr) to occupy (public land) in order to acquire a prior right to purchase

3. (intr) bridge to make a high opening bid, often on a weak hand, to shut out opposition bidding

Other Word Forms

• pre-emptor noun
• pre-emptory adjective

Example Sentences

That company said it would pre-empt Kimmel’s program “for the foreseeable future.”

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It's obvious that these other plans were being circulated in order to pre-empt his:

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Norris was keen to pre-empt the conditions and stop for treaded intermediate tyres early, but was warned that they had to be on the right tyres at the right time.

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"The fact she has been able to pre-empt all of this is incredible."

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In a pre-written letter addressed to "The World" and sent to an unnamed witness months earlier, Routh appears to pre-empt a failed assassination attempt on the former president.

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