View synonyms for

preemption

or ��-�𳾱�·�پ��ǲ�

[ pree-emp-shuhn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the act or right of claiming or purchasing before or in preference to others.
Law.
1. Also called fed·e·ral pre·emp·tion. the doctrine that federal law takes precedence over state law when the two conflict.
2. Also called state pre·emp·tion. the doctrine that state law takes precedence over local law, such as county or municipal legislation, when the two conflict.
Military. a policy of attacking first when there is imminent threat of attack by an enemy, or an enactment of this policy: The possibility of preemption is of grave concern to several Pentagon officials.
Preemption only works if there is sufficient intelligence capacity.
The possibility of preemption is of grave concern to several Pentagon officials.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of preemption¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Medieval Latin ��ë��(�ܲ�) “bought beforehand” (past participle of ��ë�� ) + -ion; pre-, emptor; redeem ( def )

preemptible pre-emption

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