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

The U.S. company said it would strengthen a tie-up with the country’s cybersecurity office and help the government and businesses detect cyberattacks early or preempt them.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

There may very well be a way that he can devote time and resources to coming after a social media company like X, though, and Musk and his lawyers would like to preempt that possibility.

From Slate • Apr. 25, 2025

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

From Salon • Jul. 30, 2024

In a bid to preempt scrutiny, Südhof’s co-authors wrote three recent PubPeer posts pointing out mistakes they have found in their own work.

From Science Magazine • Apr. 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