preempted
Americanadjective
-
(of land) occupied in order to establish a prior right to buy.
In 1860 the blacksmith arrived in Kansas to buy his preempted claim of 120 acres on Mission Creek.
-
acquired or appropriated ahead of others; taken for oneself.
The group of retired friends lunched together every day in a preempted room at the Exchange Club.
-
Government. being or relating to an area of oversight reserved by a particular level of government, especially an area that would otherwise be under the authority of a lower level of government.
Except in the federally preempted domain of warnings based on smoking and health, tobacco regulation is under state control.
-
replaced or set aside because of other priorities, reconsideration, changes in scheduling, etc..
The preempted programs were usually game shows or reruns of primetime sitcoms.
-
forestalled or prevented by advance action.
Knowledge acquired through a preempted attack may inform national response and help deter future attacks.
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of preempted
First recorded in 1860–70; preempt ( def. ) + -ed 2 ( def. ) for the adjective senses; preempt ( def. ) + -ed 1 ( def. ) for the verb sense
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It may be that the number of beneficiary designations and transfer-on-death deeds preempted an official probate process.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 7, 2026
Their resignations also preempted a push to expel the representatives.
From Salon ● Apr. 21, 2026
It's unclear whether The Bachelorette, which was already filmed, is simply being preempted for a period of time or if it will never see the light of day.
From BBC ● Mar. 21, 2026
And even if it is not preempted, the company says, “permanent” in its legal application to this case means “non-temporary,” or “indefinite,” not forever.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 15, 2024
Inside the church, they preempted a whole front pew by laying Laurie full-length on the seat.
From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
