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Noun: preempt  pree'em(p)t
  1. A high bid that is intended to prevent the opposing players from bidding
    - preemptive bid, pre-empt
Verb: preempt  pree'em(p)t
  1. Take the place of or have precedence over
    "discussion of the emergency situation will preempt the lecture by the professor"; "live broadcast of the presidential debate preempts the regular news hour";
    - displace, pre-empt
     
  2. (bridge) make a preemptive bid in the game of bridge
    - pre-empt
     
  3. Gain possession of by prior right or opportunity, especially so as to obtain the right to buy (land)
    - pre-empt
     
  4. Acquire for oneself before others can do so
    - pre-empt

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

Type of: acquire, bid, bidding, call, get, replace, supercede [non-standard], supersede, supervene upon, supplant

Encyclopedia: Preempt