/ priˈempt; NAmE / verb [ vn ]
1.
to prevent sth from happening by taking action to stop it :
A good training course will pre-empt many problems.
2.
to do or say sth before sb else does :
She was just about to apologize when he pre-empted her.
3.
( NAmE ) to replace a planned programme on the television :
The scheduled programme will be pre-empted by a special news bulletin.
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 19th cent.: back-formation from pre-emption .