preempt

Meanings

Plural: preempts

Noun

• a high bid that is intended to prevent the opposing players from bidding
• A preemptive bid.

Verb

• acquire for oneself before others can do so
• take the place of or have precedence over
  • "live broadcast of the presidential debate preempts the regular news hour"
  • "discussion of the emergency situation will preempt the lecture by the professor"
• gain possession of by prior right or opportunity, especially so as to obtain the right to buy (land)
• make a preemptive bid in the game of bridge
• To appropriate first.
• To displace or take the place of (by having higher precedence, etc).
• To prevent or beat to the punch, to forestall an expected occurrence by acting first.
• To secure (land, etc.) by the right of preemption (purchasing before others, e.g. land because one already occupies it).
• To make a preemptive bid at bridge.

Synonyms

displace, ninja, pre-empt, preemptive bid