/ priˌɒkjuˈpeɪʃn; NAmE -ˌɑːk-/ noun
1.
[ U , C ] preoccupation (with sth) a state of thinking about sth continuously; sth that you think about frequently or for a long time
SYN obsession :
She found his preoccupation with money irritating.
His current preoccupation is the appointment of the new manager.
2.
[ U ] a mood created by thinking or worrying about sth and ignoring everything else :
She spoke slowly, in a state of preoccupation.
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WORD ORIGIN
late 16th cent. (first used in rhetoric in the sense anticipating and meeting objections beforehand ): from Latin praeoccupatio(n-) , from praeoccupare seize beforehand.