preoccupy

American  

[pree-ok-yuh-pahy] / priˈɒk yəˌpaɪ /

verb (used with object)

preoccupied, preoccupying

1. to absorb or engross to the exclusion of other things.

2. to occupy beforehand or before others.

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preoccupy British  

/ priːˈɒkjʊˌpaɪ /

verb

1. to engross the thoughts or mind of

2. to occupy before or in advance of another

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Other Word Forms

• overpreoccupy verb (used with object)
• preoccupier noun

Etymology

Origin of preoccupy

First recorded in 1560–70; pre- + occupy

Example Sentences

But the betting here is that a viewer will be preoccupied by thinking about the multitude of head injuries someone like Robby would encounter in the E.R., and why he doesn’t wear a helmet himself.

From The Wall Street Journal

Another major rival, Papa John’s International, is also preoccupied with a strategic turnaround, including store closures and refranchising efforts.

From Barron's

This season, an event of global significance preoccupies the nuns and nurses of Nonnatus House: Their branch office in Hong Kong has fallen into the street.

From The Wall Street Journal

Numbers don’t preoccupy me as much as they did my father, but I still find them fascinating.

From The Wall Street Journal

Lastly, Deutsche’s note addresses the issue that has preoccupied markets most of all in recent months: costs.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• consume
• engross