Preempt

Definition - Transitive Verb
1 a  : to acquire (land) by preemption
b  : to seize upon to the exclusion of others
: take for oneself <a senior user of a trademark could not ~ use of the mark in remote geographical markets ­Mesa Springs Enterprises v. Cutco Indus., 736 P.2d 1251 (1986)>
2 a  : to replace or supersede (a law) by preemption <such state laws are not ~ed by the federal Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 ­National Law Journal>
b  : to preclude or bar (an action) by preemption <federal airline deregulation does not ~ claims under state contract law ­National Law Journal>
PronunciationprE-'empt

Pronunciation Key

  • \&\ as a and u in a b ut
  • \[^&]\ as e in kitt en
  • \&r\ as ur and er in f urther
  • \a\ as a inash
  • \A\ as a in ace
  • \?\ as o in m op
  • \au\ as ou in ou t
  • \ch\ as ch in ch in
  • \e\ as e in bet
  • \E\ as ea in easy
  • \g\ as g in go
  • \i\ as i in hit
  • \I\ as i in ice
  • \j\ as j in job
  • \[ng]\ as ng in sing
  • \O\ as o in go
  • \o\ as aw in law
  • \oi\ as oy in boy
  • \th\ as th in thin
  • \[th_]\ as thin the
  • \?\ as oo in loot
  • \u\ as oo in foot
  • \y\ as y in yet
  • \zh\ as si in vision


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Based on Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©2001.
Merriam-Webster, Incorporated
Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.
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