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1. Acquire for oneself before others can do so
   - pre-empt
    
2. 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, pre-empt
    
3. Make a preemptive bid in the game of bridge
   - pre-empt
    
4. Gain possession of by prior right or opportunity, especially so as to obtain the right to buy (land)
   - pre-empt

1. A high bid that is intended to prevent the opposing players from bidding
   - preemptive bid, pre-empt

Derived forms: preempted, pre-empting, pre-empted, preempting, preempts, pre-empts

See also: preemption, preemptive, preemptor

Type of: acquire, bid, bidding, call, get, replace, supercede, supersede, supervene upon, supplant

Encyclopedia: Preempt