1. the state of being preoccupied or absorbed in thought
Usage: formal
2. the act of taking possession of something before others
Usage: legal; archaic

Examples

• His preoccupancy with work left little time for family.
• The student’s preoccupancy during the lecture was obvious to everyone.
• Her mental preoccupancy made conversation difficult.
• The preoccupancy of the land was disputed in court.
• His preoccupancy with details often slowed down projects.
• The professor noticed the student’s preoccupancy and called on her.