preoccupation

 
Pronunciation: /prɪˌɒkjʊˈpeɪʃ(ə)n/

noun

[mass noun]
  • the state or condition of being preoccupied or engrossed with something: his preoccupation with politics
  • [count noun] 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)