preempt

To appropriate first.

He preempted that hill to be its king.

When they have preempted their ground [=their particular teat] they want to keep it, so you often see a fight, but see that there is only one claim made and then the old sow will not be disturbed. When once ranged they will always seek the same place.

To displace or take the place of (by having higher precedence, etc).

Floppy disks were preempted by CDs.

Similarly, in order to realize fully the benefits to consumers of increased competition in telecommunications, the Administration proposes to preempt state entry regulation for provision of telecommunications and information services.

To prevent or beat to the punch, to forestall an expected occurrence by acting first.

By his statement, the Secretary-General had effectively preempted the usual frustrating debates over questions of fact and law.

But when it came time to hear from Charest on the evening of the razor-thin federalist victory, Jean Chretien deliberately preempted his appearance on national television.

To secure (land, etc.) by the right of preemption (purchasing before others, e.g. land because one already occupies it).

To make a preemptive bid at bridge.

A preemptive bid.