preempt
or pre-empt
to occupy (land) in order to establish a prior right to buy.
to acquire or appropriate before someone else; take for oneself; arrogate: a political issue preempted by the opposition party.
Bridge. to make a preemptive bid.
Bridge. a preemptive bid.
Origin of preempt
1Other words for preempt
Other words from preempt
- pre·emp·ti·ble [pree-emp-tuh-buhl], /priˈɛmp tə bəl/, adjective
- pre·emp·tor [pree-emp-tawr, -ter], /priˈɛmp tɔr, -tər/, noun
- pre·emp·to·ry [pree-emp-tuh-ree], /priˈɛmp tə ri/, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use preempt in a sentence
After Jim Crow laws were abolished, these preemptory challenges were the tool used to keep blacks off of juries.
As we passed by a house an upper window was lifted and a voice called out in a preemptory tone and asked what cavalry that was.
A History of the Town of Fairfax | Jeanne Johnson RustThat command two nights ago for me to be on the spot every night was just too preemptory for me to oblige.
The Brain | Alexander BladeShe sat down on the top step of the landing, where she had so often paused to read her letters, and re-read the preemptory letter.
Marjorie Dean, College Senior | Pauline LesterQuite accustomed to the old ladys moods, Marjorie obligingly complied with the preemptory request.
Marjorie Dean, College Senior | Pauline Lester
British Dictionary definitions for pre-empt
/ (prɪˈɛmpt) /
(tr) to acquire in advance of or to the exclusion of others; appropriate
(tr) mainly US to occupy (public land) in order to acquire a prior right to purchase
(intr) bridge to make a high opening bid, often on a weak hand, to shut out opposition bidding
Derived forms of pre-empt
- pre-emptor, noun
- pre-emptory, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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