preempt

American  

[pree-empt] / priˈɛmpt /

Or pre-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.

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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

Etymology

Origin of preempt

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

Explanation

If everyone at the lunch meeting is vying for the last roast beef sandwich, but you grab it first, you preempt your colleagues from getting it. Let them eat liverwurst! Preempt means to displace or take something before others can. Preempt combines the Latin prefix prae-, "before," with emere, "to buy." Think old-fashioned land grabs and midnight madness sales. It can also mean to replace one thing with another that’s more important. For instance, if the president is speaking or the football game is running long, brace yourself: the network just might preempt your favorite show.

Example Sentences

For eight years, Boulder’s case against Suncor and Exxon has survived the oil companies’ attempts to have the case dismissed, claiming that federal law should preempt the state law claims.

From Slate • Mar. 17, 2026

ANZ Research’s Dhiraj Nim believes it will be difficult to preempt how the GDP series will change under the new framework, with significant changes to the base year and input data.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

In addition, Levin said the 9th Circuit determined that FCC measures did not preempt states from separately taking action.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 3, 2025

There is also a multi-state strategy underway to preempt community-led efforts to implement guaranteed income programs.

From Salon • Jul. 30, 2024

Rapid spread of a crop may preempt domestication not only of the same wild ancestral species somewhere else but also of related wild species.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond