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preoccupation
[ pree-ok-yuh-pey-shuhn, pree-ok- ]
/ priˌɒk yəˈpeɪ ʃən, ˌpri ɒk- /
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noun
the state of being preoccupied.
an act of preoccupying.
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Origin of preoccupation
1530–40; <Latin praeoccupātiōn- (stem of praeoccupātiō) a taking possession beforehand. See pre-, occupation
OTHER WORDS FROM preoccupation
o·ver·pre·oc·cu·pa·tion, nounself-pre·oc·cu·pa·tion, nounWords nearby preoccupation
prenuclear, prenup, prenuptial, prenuptial agreement, preoccupancy, preoccupation, preoccupied, preoccupy, preop, preoperative, preoral
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use preoccupation in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for preoccupation
preoccupation
preoccupancy (priːˈɒkjʊpənsɪ)
/ (priːˌɒkjʊˈpeɪʃən) /
noun
the state of being preoccupied, esp mentally
something that holds the attention or preoccupies the mind
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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