preemption
noun
Crosby v. National Foreign Trade Councilcalled also federal preemption
Examples of preemption in a Sentence
ArsTechnica, 30 May 2025
Even in the context of POTS, arguments could be made that state efforts impeding fulfillment of national goals for the POTS transition might also be susceptible to preemption.
—Michael Santorelli, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Idaho’s attorneys argued that the state law was complementary to federal law and there was no field preemption.
—Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 30 Apr. 2025
Given the way that U.S. forces are constructed today, U.S. defense strategists face a difficult choice between preemption, with its attendant risks of escalation, and the real possibility of a first strike by Beijing, with the heavy losses that would cause.
—Andrew S. Lim, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preemption
Cite this Entry
“Preemption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preemption. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
preemption
noun
Note: This sense of preemption is primarily of historical importance.
Note: According to the doctrine of preemption, federal law supersedes state law when federal law is in conflict with a state law on a subject or when there is congressional intent to regulate a subject to the exclusion of the states. Federal preemption is based on the supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution and is closely related to the powers granted Congress in the commerce clause.
Medieval Latin praeemption-, praeemptio previous purchase, from praeemere to buy before
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