Preoccupy

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /pɹiˈɒkjupaɪ/
• GenAm IPA: /pɹiˈɑkjupaɪ/

Origin

From - + occupy.

Full definition of preoccupy

Verb

1. To distract; to occupy or draw attention elsewhere.The father tried to preoccupy the child with his keys.