- of or relating to preemption.
- taken as a measure against something possible, anticipated, or feared; preventive; deterrent: a preemptive tactic against a ruthless business rival.
- preempting or possessing the power to preempt; appropriative; privileged: a commander's preemptive authority.
- pertaining to, involving, or noting an opening bid or an overcall in a suit that is at an unnecessarily high level and that is essentially a defensive maneuver designed to make communication between one's opponents more difficult: a preemptive bid; to give a preemptive response.
- of, involving, or capable of pre-emption
- (of a high bid) made to shut out opposition bidding
- designed to reduce or destroy an enemy's attacking strength before it can use it
