verb
preempt
Preempt (verb) means to take or claim something before anyone else can.
verb
1
To take or claim something before anyone else can.
"He preempted that hill to be its king."
2
To replace something else because it has greater priority.
"Floppy disks were preempted by CDs."
3
To act first in order to stop something expected from happening.
"He always preempted his enemies by being the first to greet them and inquiring about their well-being."
— Anthony Ephirim-Donkor, The Making of an African King (2019)
4
To gain the right to buy something, such as land, ahead of others, often because you already occupy it.
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Etymology
A back-formation from preemption.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of preempt?
"preempt" (verb) means to take or claim something before anyone else can.
What is another word for preempt?
Other words for "preempt" include displace.
What are the different meanings of preempt?
"preempt" has 3 main meanings: 1. To take or claim something before anyone else can; 2. To replace something else because it has greater priority; 3. To act first in order to stop something expected from happening.
