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preoccupation

Syllabification: (pre·oc·cu·pa·tion)

Pronunciation: /ˌprēˌäkyəˈpāSHən/

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Definition of preoccupation

noun

the state or condition of being preoccupied or engrossed with something:his preoccupation with politics
a subject or matter that engrosses someone:their main preoccupation was how to feed their families

Origin:

late 16th century (first used in rhetoric in the sense 'anticipating and meeting objections beforehand'): from Latin praeoccupatio(n-), from praeoccupare 'seize beforehand' (see preoccupy)