PREEMPT


Meaning of PREEMPT in English

I. prēˈem(p)t verb

( -ed/-ing/-s )

Etymology: back-formation from preemption

transitive verb

1. : to settle upon (public land) with a right of preemption : take by preemption

2. : to seize upon to the exclusion of others : take for oneself : appropriate

prose has preempted a lion's share of the territory once held … by poetry — J.L.Lowes

as the immigrants preempted the central areas of the cities, the older stock moved out toward the … suburbs — Oscar Handlin

intransitive verb

: to make a preemptive bid in bridge

Synonyms: see appropriate

II. transitive verb

1. : to replace with something considered to be of greater value or priority : take precedence over

the busing issue has preempted discussion of more basic problems — William Serrin

2. : to gain a commanding or preeminent place in

lost the 1970 congressional race … but ran so well that he preempted the Democratic field for a rematch two years later — R.M.Williams

3. : to prevent from happening or taking place : forestall : preclude

the alcohol completely preempted any kind of dialogue — R.A.Sokolov

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.