preempt

/ˌpɹiːˈɛmpt/

//ˌpɹiːˈɛmpt// verb

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"preempt" is a 7-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“preempt” is uncommon English (frequency #56,988 among 46,516 “P” headwords), classed as a verb. The kind of spelling people second-guess.

#56,988
frequency rank, English
46,516
“P” headwords

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - To appropriate first.

Key facts for preempt
PropertyValue
Headwordpreempt
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechVerb
IPA/ˌpɹiːˈɛmpt/
Letters7
Frequency rank#56,988
Misspellings tracked0
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “preempt” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). preempt lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Rare enough to double-check

preempt is uncommon English at frequency #56,988 among 46,516 “P” headwords, classed as averb, transcribed /ˌpɹiːˈɛmpt/. Rarity is why readers land here mid-draft. 5 senses are on record.

preempt doesn't appear in our generated misspelling index, a straightforward case of a spelling with little room for common typos. This headword has no recorded confusable partner, a sign it's visually distinctive enough not to be mixed up with another word.

Etymologically, the entry records: Back-formation from preemption. The correct English form is preempt, spelled P-R-E-E-M-P-T.

Definition

  1. 1
    To appropriate first.
  2. 2
    To displace or take the place of (by having higher precedence, etc).
  3. 3
    To prevent or beat to the punch, to forestall an expected occurrence by acting first.
  4. 4
    To secure (land, etc.) by the right of preemption (purchasing before others, e.g. land because one already occupies it).
  5. 5
    To make a preemptive bid at bridge.

Etymology

Back-formation from preemption.

Synonyms

ninja

This word in other languages

zuvorkommen(Deutsch)

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "preempt"?
"preempt" is spelled P-R-E-E-M-P-T. The IPA pronunciation is /ˌpɹiːˈɛmpt/.
What does "preempt" mean?
As a verb, "preempt" means: To appropriate first.
How do you pronounce "preempt"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "preempt" is /ˌpɹiːˈɛmpt/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "preempt"?
Back-formation from preemption. See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “preempt”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is P-R-E-E-M-P-T - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˌpɹiːˈɛmpt/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words

Other uncommon English words near this rank

Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list