Preempt
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ˌpɹiːˈɛmpt/ · Part of speech verb
Quick meaning: Preempt is a verb meaning (transitive) To appropriate first.
Meaning
(transitive) To appropriate first.
More Meanings
- (transitive) To displace or take the place of (by having higher precedence, etc).
- (transitive) To prevent or beat to the punch, to forestall an expected occurrence by acting first.
- (transitive) To secure (land, etc.) by the right of preemption (purchasing before others, e.g. land because one already occupies it).
- (bridge, intransitive) To make a preemptive bid at bridge.
- (bridge) A preemptive bid.
Example Sentences
Floppy disks were preempted by CDs.
He preempted that hill to be its king.
A German move from the west had preempted them. By nightfall the whole Sidi Rezegh Ridge was in German occupation.
By his statement, the Secretary-General had effectively preempted the usual frustrating debates over questions of fact and law.
Word Forms
- preempts
- preempting
- preempted
- pre-empt
Synonyms for preempt
Depending on context, synonyms include ninja.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include preemption, anticipate, pre-empt, precedence, priority, second-guess.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.