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preemption definition - legal

n

  1. In law, the doctrine coming from the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution asserting that in legislation on the same subject, federal legislation takes supremacy over state or local laws.
  2. The right to buy something before anybody else.
  3. An earlier seizure of some property, real or personal.

Webster's New World Law Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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