pre-empt, preempt /priˈempt/ verb [transitiveT] 1 FIRSTto make what someone has planned to do or say unnecessary or ineffective by saying or doing something first 抢在…之前行动[说话];对…先发制人 The deal pre-empted a strike by rail workers. 这个协议避免了一场铁路工人的罢工。
2 American EnglishAmE to replace a television show with a special programme or report 临时取代〔电视节目〕 Regular programming was preempted by a report on the war. 固定节目临时换成了战况报道。
—pre-emption /-ˈempʃən/ noun [uncountableU]