preemption

or pre-emp·tion

[ pree-emp-shuhn ]

/ priˈɛmp ʃən /

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See synonyms for preemption on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

Law.

Also called fed·e·ral pre·emp·tion . the doctrine that federal law takes precedence over state law when the two conflict.
Also called state pre·emp·tion . the doctrine that state law takes precedence over local law, such as county or municipal legislation, when the two conflict.

Military. a policy of attacking first when there is imminent threat of attack by an enemy, or an enactment of this policy: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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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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use preemption in a sentence

Having taken a lease of the land, with a right of pre-emption after a specified period, he proceeded to build.
The Church Index|William Pepperell
No; I respect and revere pre-emption rights; for they fortify and sustain the right to the elements.
The Chainbearer|J. Fenimore Cooper
He had the 'right of pre-emption of fish in all his ports, and the choice of the best fish.'
Devon, Its Moorlands, Streams and Coasts|Rosalind Northcote
If any question arises between two pre-emption claimants, the commissioner of the general land office decides the dispute.
Monopolies and the People|D. C. Cloud

The pre-emption and homestead laws were passed for the benefit of the actual settlers of the country.
Monopolies and the People|D. C. Cloud

British Dictionary definitions for preemption

pre-emption

/ (prɪˈɛmpʃən) /

noun

law the purchase of or right to purchase property in advance of or in preference to others

international law the right of a government to intercept and seize for its own purposes goods or property of the subjects of another state while in transit, esp in time of war

Word Origin for pre-emption

C16: from Medieval Latin praeemptiō, from praeemere to buy beforehand, from emere to buy

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012