preemption
preemption Lexical Profile
preemption Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Action taken in advance to prevent an anticipated event from happening or to forestall another party.
"Through clever preemption of her rival's arguments, the debater secured an early advantage."
American A legal doctrine under which federal or state law supersedes and invalidates conflicting laws enacted by a lower level of government.
"The court ruled that federal safety standards resulted in the preemption of the stricter state regulations."
The act or right of purchasing something before it is offered for sale to others.
"The corporate charter grants existing shareholders the right of preemption whenever new stock is issued."
The interruption or replacement of a regularly scheduled broadcast program or computing task by one of higher priority.
"Viewers complained about the preemption of their favorite drama for extended election coverage."
• Rhymes for preemption
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Medieval Latin praeemptio, meaning 'a buying beforehand,' from the Latin prefix prae- ('before') and emere ('to buy' or 'to take').