noun
preoccupation
pree-ok-yuu-PAY-shuhn
noun
1
Something that dominates a person's thoughts and attention, often to the exclusion of other things.
"His main preoccupation these days is finishing the novel."
"A preoccupation with money can strain relationships."
How to Use Preoccupation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething you keep thinking about, almost to the point of distraction.
Common pairings
a preoccupation with
main preoccupation
Word Forms
preoccupations plural
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His main _____ these days is finishing the novel.
Etymology
From Middle French préoccupation, from Latin praeoccupatio, built from pre- plus occupation.