PREEMPT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does preempt mean? 

• PREEMPT (noun)
  The noun PREEMPT has 1 sense:

1. a high bid that is intended to prevent the opposing players from bidding

  Familiarity information: PREEMPT used as a noun is very rare.

• PREEMPT (verb)
  The verb PREEMPT has 4 senses:

1. acquire for oneself before others can do so

2. take the place of or have precedence over

3. gain possession of by prior right or opportunity, especially so as to obtain the right to buy (land)

4. make a preemptive bid in the game of bridge

  Familiarity information: PREEMPT used as a verb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PREEMPT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A high bid that is intended to prevent the opposing players from bidding

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

pre-empt; preempt; preemptive bid

Hypernyms ("preempt" is a kind of...):

bid; bidding ((bridge) the number of tricks a bridge player is willing to contract to make)

• PREEMPT (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they preempt    ... he / she / it preempts   
Past simple: preempted   
Past participle: preempted   
-ing form: preempting   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Acquire for oneself before others can do so

Classified under:

Verbs of buying, selling, owning

Hypernyms (to "preempt" is one way to...):

acquire; get (come into the possession of something concrete or abstract)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

pre-emptive (designed or having the power to deter or prevent an anticipated situation or occurrence)

preemption (a prior appropriation of something)

preemption (the right to purchase something in advance of others)

preemptive (designed or having the power to deter or prevent an anticipated situation or occurrence)

preemptor (someone who acquires land by preemption)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Take the place of or have precedence over

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Synonyms:

displace; preempt

Context example:

discussion of the emergency situation will preempt the lecture by the professor

Hypernyms (to "preempt" is one way to...):

replace; supersede; supervene upon; supplant (take the place or move into the position of)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something

Sense 3

Meaning:

Gain possession of by prior right or opportunity, especially so as to obtain the right to buy (land)

Classified under:

Verbs of buying, selling, owning

Hypernyms (to "preempt" is one way to...):

acquire; get (come into the possession of something concrete or abstract)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 4

Meaning:

Make a preemptive bid in the game of bridge

Classified under:

Verbs of buying, selling, owning

Hypernyms (to "preempt" is one way to...):

bid; call (make a demand, as for a card or a suit or a show of hands)

Domain category:

bridge (any of various card games based on whist for four players)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

pre-emptive; preemptive (designed or having the power to deter or prevent an anticipated situation or occurrence)

preemptor (a bidder in bridge who makes a preemptive bid)