Definition of preempt
verb
[with object] 1take action in order to prevent (an anticipated event) from happening; forestall:the government preempted a coup attempt act in advance of (someone) in order to prevent them from doing something:it looked as if she’d ask him more, but Parr preempted her (of a broadcast) interrupt or replace (a scheduled program):the violence preempted regular programming
2acquire or appropriate (something) in advance:many tables were already preempted by family parties North American take (something, especially public land) for oneself so as to have the right of preemption.
3 [no object] Bridge make a preemptive bid.
