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   pre-empt

   /ˌpriːˈɛm(p)t/

   verb

   • 1. take action in order to prevent (an anticipated event) happening; forestall: "the second session will focus on policies to pre-empt problems" Similar forestallpreventsteal a march onanticipateget in beforeinformal:get one's retaliation in first
   • ▪ act in advance of (someone) in order to prevent them doing something: "it looked as if she'd ask him more, but Parr pre-empted her"
   • ▪ (of a broadcast) interrupt or replace (a scheduled programme): North American "the violence pre-empted regular programming"
   • 2. acquire or appropriate (something) in advance: "many tables were already pre-empted by family parties" Similar commandeertake possession ofoccupyseizearrogateappropriatetake overtakeacquiresecurereserve
   • ▪ occupy (public land) so as to have a pre-emptive right to buy it before others. North American
   • 3. make a pre-emptive bid.

   noun

   • 1. a pre-emptive bid.

   Word Origin mid 19th century: back-formation from pre-emption.

   Derivatives

   • 1. pre-emptor noun

   Scrabble Points: 13

   • P

     3

   • R

     1

   • E

     1

   • -

   • E

     1

   • M

     3

   • P

     3

   • T

     1

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