preempt (redirected from preempts)

pre·empt or pre-empt  (pr-mpt)

v. pre·empt·ed or pre-empt·ed, pre·empt·ing or pre-empt·ing, pre·empts or pre-empts

v.tr.

1. To appropriate, seize, or take for oneself before others. See Synonyms at appropriate.

2.

a. To take the place of; displace: A special news program preempted the scheduled shows.

b. To have precedence or predominance over: Discussion of the water shortage will preempt the other topics on this week's agenda.

3. To gain possession of by prior right or opportunity, especially to settle on (public land) so as to obtain the right to buy before others.

v.intr. Games

To make a preemptive bid in bridge.

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[Back-formation from preemption.]

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pre·emptor (-mptôr) n.

pre·empto·ry (-mpt-r) adj.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	preempt - a high bid that is intended to prevent the opposing players from bidding pre-empt, preemptive bid bidding, bid - (bridge) the number of tricks a bridge player is willing to contract to make
Verb	1.	preempt - acquire for oneself before others can do so acquire, get - come into the possession of something concrete or abstract; "She got a lot of paintings from her uncle"; "They acquired a new pet"; "Get your results the next day"; "Get permission to take a few days off from work"
	2.	preempt - take the place of or have precedence over; "live broadcast of the presidential debate preempts the regular news hour"; "discussion of the emergency situation will preempt the lecture by the professor" displace supercede, supersede, supervene upon, supplant, replace - take the place or move into the position of; "Smith replaced Miller as CEO after Miller left"; "the computer has supplanted the slide rule"; "Mary replaced Susan as the team's captain and the highest-ranked player in the school"
	3.	preempt - gain possession of by prior right or opportunity, especially so as to obtain the right to buy (land) acquire, get - come into the possession of something concrete or abstract; "She got a lot of paintings from her uncle"; "They acquired a new pet"; "Get your results the next day"; "Get permission to take a few days off from work"
	4.	preempt - make a preemptive bid in the game of bridge bridge - any of various card games based on whist for four players bid, call - make a demand, as for a card or a suit or a show of hands; "He called his trump"