/pri ˈempt ||; prɪ ˈɛmpt/verb [T] (
formal 正式)
1 to prevent sth from happening by taking action to stop it 预先制止或防止: Her departure pre-empted any further questions. 她的离去使别人无法再追问下去。A good training course will pre-empt many problems. 一门好的培训课程可以防止许多问题。
2 to do or say sth before sb else does 抢在某人前面做某事；先发制人: She was just about to apologize when he pre-empted her. 她正打算道歉，他却先道歉了。