preoccupation

American  

[pree-ok-yuh-pey-shuhn, pree-ok-] / priˌɒk yəˈpeɪ ʃən, ˌpri ɒk- /

noun

1. the state of being preoccupied. preoccupy.

2. an act of preoccupying.

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preoccupation British  

/ priːˌɒkjʊˈpeɪʃən, priːˈɒkjʊpənsɪ /

noun

1. the state of being preoccupied, esp mentally

2. something that holds the attention or preoccupies the mind

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Other Word Forms

• overpreoccupation noun
• self-preoccupation noun

Etymology

Origin of preoccupation

1530–40; < Latin praeoccupātiōn- (stem of praeoccupātiō ) a taking possession beforehand. See pre-, occupation

Example Sentences

Those commanders described Smith’s preoccupation with the daily crime report, which provides the public a daily tally of nine felony offenses.

From The Wall Street Journal

The U.S.-China “electron gap,” as OpenAI now calls it, has become a major preoccupation for American tech leaders.

From The Wall Street Journal

I would have leaped to collaborate with her on any project, but fortunately nuclear Armageddon is also a preoccupation of mine.

From Los Angeles Times

Once Participant 3 reached her full tirzepatide dose and had the electrodes implanted, she reported no food preoccupation, and her NAc activity reflected this silence.

From Science Daily

She doesn’t remember any preoccupation with psychics or mediums growing up.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fixation
• obsession