Dictionary.com

preempt

or pre-empt

[ pree-empt ]
/ priˈɛmpt /
See synonyms for: preempt / preempting on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to occupy (land) in order to establish a prior right to buy.
to acquire or appropriate before someone else; take for oneself; arrogate: a political issue preempted by the opposition party.
to take the place of because of priorities, reconsideration, rescheduling, etc.; supplant: The special newscast preempted the usual television program.

verb (used without object)

Bridge. to make a preemptive bid.
to forestall or prevent (something anticipated) by acting first; preclude; head off: an effort to preempt inflation.

noun

Bridge. a preemptive bid.

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Origin of preempt

1840–50, Americanism; back formation from preemption

OTHER WORDS FROM preempt

pre·emp·ti·ble, adjectivepre·emp·tor [pree-emp-tawr, -ter], /priˈɛmp tɔr, -tər/, nounpre·emp·to·ry [pree-emp-tuh-ree], /priˈɛmp tə ri/, adjectiveun·pre·empt·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Words related to preempt

confiscate, acquire, expropriate, seize, assume, arrogate, anticipate, commandeer, appropriate, obtain, bump, sequester, take, usurp, annex, accroach

Example sentences from the Web for preempt

  • She sat down on the top step of the landing, where she had so often paused to read her letters, and re-read the preemptory letter.

    Marjorie Dean, College Senior|Pauline Lester

  • Quite accustomed to the old ladys moods, Marjorie obligingly complied with the preemptory request.

    Marjorie Dean, College Senior|Pauline Lester

  • As we passed by a house an upper window was lifted and a voice called out in a preemptory tone and asked what cavalry that was.

    A History of the Town of Fairfax|Jeanne Johnson Rust

  • That command two nights ago for me to be on the spot every night was just too preemptory for me to oblige.

    The Brain|Alexander Blade

British Dictionary definitions for preempt

pre-empt
/ (prɪˈɛmpt) /

verb

(tr) to acquire in advance of or to the exclusion of others; appropriate
(tr) mainly US to occupy (public land) in order to acquire a prior right to purchase
(intr) bridge to make a high opening bid, often on a weak hand, to shut out opposition bidding

Derived forms of pre-empt

pre-emptor, nounpre-emptory, adjective
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