Preemption

Alternative forms

• præemption archaic
• præ-emption archaic
• pre-emption
• preëmption

Origin

From Medieval Latin praeēmptiō ("previous purchase"), from praeemō ("buy before"), from Latin prae- ("before") + emō ("buy").

Full definition of preemption

Noun

1. The purchase of something before it is offered for sale to others.
2. The purchase of public land by the occupant.
3. (computing) The temporary interruption of a task without its cooperation and with the intention of resuming it at a later time.
4. (law) The displacement of a lower jurisdiction's laws when they conflict with those of a higher jurisdiction.