pre-empt

 
Pronunciation: /priˈɛmpt/

verb

[with object]
  • 1take action in order to prevent (an anticipated event) happening; forestall: the government pre-empted a coup attempt
  • 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
  • 2acquire or appropriate (something) in advance: many tables were already pre-empted by family parties
  • North American occupy (public land) so as to have a pre-emptive right to buy it before others.
  • 3 [no object] Bridge make a pre-emptive bid.

noun

Bridge
  • a pre-emptive bid.

Derivatives

pre-emptor

noun

Origin:

mid 19th century: back-formation from pre-emption