Definition of "preempt" [pre•ëmpt]

• To appropriate, seize, or take for oneself before others. See Synonyms at appropriate. (verb-transitive)
• To take the place of; displace: A special news program preempted the scheduled shows. (verb-transitive)
• To have precedence or predominance over: Discussion of the water shortage will preempt the other topics on this week's agenda. (verb-transitive)
• To gain possession of by prior right or opportunity, especially to settle on (public land) so as to obtain the right to buy before others. (verb-transitive)
• Games To make a preemptive bid in bridge. (verb-intransitive)

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.

• "One way to preempt is simply to be first to market."
• ""your wrong its called preempt and it set the traffic ...""
• "If the United States believes that there's a potential threat out there, should it preempt, which is a relatively different strategy from earlier U.S. presidents?"