preoccupy

verb

pre·​oc·​cu·​py (ˌ)prē-ˈä-kyə-ˌpī 

preoccupied; preoccupying; preoccupies

transitive verb

1

: to engage or engross the interest or attention of beforehand or preferentially

2

: to take possession of or fill beforehand or before another

Examples of preoccupy in a Sentence

The question of life after death has preoccupied many philosophers.

Recent Examples on the Web

But something that seems to preoccupy them equally is the challenge of transitional dressing, particularly this time of year, as temperatures begin to rise and fall, and then rise again. —Caroline Reilly, Robb Report, 5 Feb. 2025

Gregory is also preoccupied with the course’s refreshments as Barbara forces him to confront his limited diet. —Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 29 Jan. 2025

Trudeau said Trump remains preoccupied with the border. —Rob Gillies, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025

Detroit Lions offensive mastermind Ben Johnson is considered the No. 1 candidate in this hiring cycle but could easily be preoccupied through the Super Bowl, on Feb. 9. Poles will interview interim head coach Thomas Brown, who went 1-4 after replacing Eberflus. —Phil Rogers, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin praeoccupare, literally, to seize in advance, from prae- + occupare to seize, occupy

First Known Use

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for preoccupy

• acidify
• alveoli
• areolae
• demystify
• detoxify
• disqualify
• diversify
• electrify
• exemplify
• fasciculi
• identify
• indemnify

Kids Definition

preoccupy

verb

pre·​oc·​cu·​py (ˈ)prē-ˈäk-yə-ˌpī 

1

: to hold the attention of beforehand

2

: to take possession of before another

preoccupation

(ˌ)prē-ˌäk-yə-ˈpā-shən

noun