preempt

verb

pre·​empt prē-ˈem(p)t 

preempted; preempting; preempts

transitive verb

1

: to acquire (something, such as land) by preemption

2

: to seize upon to the exclusion of others : take for oneself

the movement was then preempted by a lunatic fringe

3

a

: to replace with something considered to be of greater value or priority : take precedence over

the program did not appear, having been preempted by a baseball game

—Robert MacNeil

b

law : to replace or supersede (a law) or bar (an action) by the doctrine of preemption

In so doing, the Court held that Congress did not intend to preempt common law contract claims.

—Charas v. Trans World Airlines, Inc., 160 F.3d 1259 (1998)

4

: to gain a commanding or preeminent place in

5

: to prevent from happening or taking place : forestall, preclude

intransitive verb

: to make a preemptive bid in bridge

preemptor

prē-ˈem(p)-tər 

noun

Synonyms

• appropriate
• arrogate
• commandeer
• convert
• expropriate
• pirate
• press
• seize
• take over
• usurp

Examples of preempt in a Sentence

The contract preempts lawsuits by the company's clients.

The state law was preempted by a federal law.

The President's speech preempted regular programming.

Recent Examples on the Web

Another bill Gianforte enacted, SB 528, preempts all local prohibitions or restrictions on the construction of accessory dwelling units (ADUs), such as a carriage houses, guest cottages, and pool houses. —Patrick Gleason, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), which has to approve pipelines, and the Department of Energy do have authorities that could preempt local rules. —Jan Ellen Spiegel, Hartford Courant, 12 Feb. 2025

Meanwhile, South Dakota and Missouri have enacted laws to preempt progressive schools and districts from adding LGBTQ+ student protections and supportive resources. —Nathaniel M. Tran, The Conversation, 6 Feb. 2025

The system can also help shippers preempt issues in their supply chains or with global trade routes, ensuring that clients are able to fully comply as situations and geopolitical moves progress. —Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 21 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from preemption

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for preempt

• attempt
• contempt
• exempt
• unkempt
• empt
• tempt
• nonexempt

Kids Definition

preempt

verb

pre·​empt prē-ˈem(p)t 

1

a

: to settle upon (as public land) with the right to purchase before others

b

: to take by such a right

2

: to take before someone else can : appropriate

preempt a seat at the stadium

3

: to take the place of

the president's speech preempted the regular program

preemption

-ˈem(p)-shən

noun

preemptive

-ˈem(p)-tiv

adjective

preemptor

-tər 

noun

Legal Definition

preempt

transitive verb

pre·​empt prē-ˈempt 

1

a

: to acquire (land) by preemption

b

: to seize upon to the exclusion of others : take for oneself

a senior user of a trademark could not preempt use of the mark in remote geographical markets

—Mesa Springs Enterprises v. Cutco Indus., 736 P.2d 1251 (1986)

2

a

: to replace or supersede (a law) by preemption

such state laws are not preempted by the federal Energy Reorganization Act of 1974

—National Law Journal

b

: to preclude or bar (an action) by preemption

federal airline deregulation does not preempt claims under state contract law

—National Law Journal