Definition of "preemption" [preemption]

• The right to purchase something before others, especially the right to purchase public land that is granted to one who has settled on that land. (noun)
• A purchase made by such a right. (noun)
• Prior seizure of, appropriation of, or claim to something, such as property. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "But invoking the term preemption and the analogy to Iraq in policy debates for Iran's nuclear program is both misguided and dangerous."
• "I think this should remain the focus of preemption, because preemption is ultimately about who has the power to do something, not what needs to get done."
• "I am also more sympathetic than Stewart to the argument that Congress may have sought to balance more stringent enforcement of immigration rules with other interests, and that preemption is one way for Congress to ensure that this balance is maintained."