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

The next day, Einhorn said she wanted to acquire world rights and pre-empt an auction.

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"While the university cannot pre-empt the decision by its council over the future of these courses, it is important it does not continue to recruit to courses which are proposed for closure."

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Speaking to reporters after PMQs, Sir Keir's spokeswoman also repeatedly declined to repeat the pledge, adding she could not "pre-empt" the Budget.

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Rachel Reeves said she would not "pre-empt" any downgrade by the OBR, but was "determined that we don't simply accept the forecasts but we defy them".

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

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