1. to take action in order to prevent someone else from doing something
Usage: past tense of preempt
2. to replace a regularly scheduled television or radio program with a special broadcast
Usage: past tense of preempt; broadcasting
3. to acquire or appropriate before someone else can
Usage: past tense of preempt

Examples

• The company preempted its competitors by launching the product first.
• The president’s speech preempted the evening news program.
• She preempted any criticism by addressing the issue directly.
• The emergency broadcast preempted regular programming.
• He preempted her objections by explaining his reasoning.
• The settlers preempted the best land before others arrived.
• The network preempted the sitcom for breaking news coverage.