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preemption definition

☆ pre·emption or pre-emption pre-emp′tion (prē emp′s̸hən)

noun

  1. the act or right of buying land, etc. before, or in preference to, others; esp., such a right granted to a settler on public land
  2. action taken to check other action beforehand

Etymology: < ML preemptus, pp. of preemere, to buy beforehand < L prae-, before (see pre-) + emere, to buy (see redeem)

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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