preempt

verb

1. (transitive)To appropriate first.

   “He preempted that hill to be its king.”

   “When they have preempted their ground [=their particular teat] they want to keep it, so you often see a fight, but see that there is only one claim made and then the old sow will not be disturbed. When once ranged they will always seek the same place.”

   “[...] the losers complaining that their party may see another popular issue preempted by what one of them called "born-again Democratic fiscal conservatives."”

2. (transitive)To displace or take the place of (by having higher precedence, etc).

   “Floppy disks were preempted by CDs.”

   “Similarly, in order to realize fully the benefits to consumers of increased competition in telecommunications, the Administration proposes to preempt state entry regulation for provision of telecommunications and information services.”

   “Leah and Jenny's friendship had happened upon them quickly because of a shared harrowing experience that had preempted the usual years of trust building .”

   “A German move from the west had preempted them. By nightfall the whole Sidi Rezegh Ridge was in German occupation.”

3. (transitive)To prevent or beat to the punch, to forestall an expected occurrence by acting first.

   “By his statement, the Secretary-General had effectively preempted the usual frustrating debates over questions of fact and law.”

   “But when it came time to hear from Charest on the evening of the razor-thin federalist victory, Jean Chretien deliberately preempted his appearance on national television.”

   “In fact, before Jane said anything at all, Claudia preempted her and began to speak very rapidly.”

   “[…] the knife when he passed it, managing to pull it from the doorframe, but Riverwind preempted his action and slammed the pistol-butt down on his wrist.”

   “She preempted his denial holding out a flat palm in his direction. “Do not play games with me, Mr. Cooper. Give me the notebook.” She advanced toward his ...”

4. (transitive)To secure (land, etc.) by the right of preemption (purchasing before others, e.g. land because one already occupies it).
5. (intransitive)To make a preemptive bid at bridge.

noun

1. A preemptive bid.