/priˈempt ||; prɪˈɛmpt/verb[T] 1 to prevent sth from happening by taking action to stop it 防止；避免: Her departure pre-empted any further questions. 她的离去避免了任何新的提问。
2 to do or say sth before sb else does 抢在…之前做﹙或说﹚: She was just about to apologize when he pre-empted her. 她正想道歉，他却抢先说了。
3 to replace a planned programme on television 临时取代﹙电视节目单上的节目﹚: ‘Roseanne’ will be pre-empted by a special news bulletin. 《罗西恩》将会临时换成特别新闻简报。