WordWeb Online

1. Engage or engross the interest or attention of beforehand or occupy urgently or obsessively
   "His work preoccupies him"; "The matter preoccupies her completely--she cannot think of anything else"
    
2. Occupy or take possession of beforehand or before another or appropriate for use in advance
   "the army preoccupied the hills"

Derived forms: preoccupying, preoccupies, preoccupied

See also: preoccupation

Type of: arrogate, assume, command, control, seize, take over, usurp