pre-empt (also spelled preempt, especially in AmE) // verb [+ obj]

1

to prevent sth from happening by taking action to stop it:

A good training course will pre-empt many problems.

The CEO pre-empted criticism by resigning.

2

to do or say sth before sb else does:

I do not want to pre-empt anything that the other speakers are going to say.

pre-emptive (also spelled preemptive, especially in AmE) // adjective:

Pre-emptive action is necessary to prevent inflation going out of control.

Shareholders can exercise their pre-emptive rights (= can choose to buy shares before they are offered to new buyers) until 11 August.

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