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definitions

preemptive

or pre-emp·tive

[ pree-emp-tiv ]
/ priˈɛmp tɪv /
|

adjective

of or relating to preemption.
taken as a measure against something possible, anticipated, or feared; preventive; deterrent: a preemptive tactic against a ruthless business rival.
preempting or possessing the power to preempt; appropriative; privileged: a commander's preemptive authority.
Bridge. pertaining to, involving, or noting an opening bid or an overcall in a suit that is at an unnecessarily high level and that is essentially a defensive maneuver designed to make communication between one's opponents more difficult: a preemptive bid; to give a preemptive response.

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Nearby words

  1. preeminently,
  2. preemphasis,
  3. preemployment,
  4. preempt,
  5. preemption,
  6. preemptive right,
  7. preemptive strike,
  8. preemptor,
  9. preemptory,
  10. preen

Origin of preemptive

An Americanism dating back to 1785–95; preempt + -ive
Related formspre·emp·tive·ly, adverb
Can be confusedperemptory preemptive
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for pre-emptive

British Dictionary definitions for pre-emptive

pre-emptive

/ (prɪˈɛmptɪv) /

adjective

of, involving, or capable of pre-emption
bridge (of a high bid) made to shut out opposition bidding
military designed to reduce or destroy an enemy's attacking strength before it can use ita pre-emptive strike
Derived Formspre-emptively, adverb
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

Word Origin and History for pre-emptive

pre-emptive

adj.

also preemptive, 1806, "pertaining to preemption;" from pre-emption + -ive. Specifically of an attack on an enemy who is plotting his own attack, 1958, a term from the Cold War. Related: Pre-emptively; preemptively.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper