preempt

US:USA pronunciation: IPA and respellingUSA pronunciation: IPA/priˈɛmpt/ ,USA pronunciation: respelling(prē empt′)

pre•empt or pre-empt /priˈɛmpt/USA pronunciation v. [~ + object]

to acquire (something) before someone else;
take for oneself.
to take the place of by being more important, or because of rescheduling, etc.;
supplant:A special news report on the earthquake preempted the game show.
to prevent (something anticipated) by acting first;
head off:The rival company preempted our takeover bid by selling its stock.

pre•emp•tion, n. [uncountable]

pre•empt (prē empt′),USA pronunciation v.t.

to occupy (land) in order to establish a prior right to buy.
to acquire or appropriate before someone else; take for oneself;
arrogate:a political issue preempted by the opposition party.
to take the place of because of priorities, reconsideration, rescheduling, etc.;
supplant:The special newscast preempted the usual television program.

v.i.

Games[Bridge.]to make a preemptive bid.
to forestall or prevent (something anticipated) by acting first;
preclude;
head off:an effort to preempt inflation.

Also, pre-empt′.

pre•emp′ti•ble, adj.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

pre-empt /prɪˈɛmpt/ vb

(transitive) to acquire in advance of or to the exclusion of others; appropriate
(transitive) chiefly US to occupy (public land) in order to acquire a prior right to purchase
(intransitive) to make a high opening bid, often on a weak hand, to shut out opposition bidding

pre-ˈemptor n

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