preemption

preemption is a   Noun

Definition:

[1] The act or right of purchasing before others. Specifically:

[2] The privilege or prerogative formerly enjoyed by the king of buying provisions for his household in preference to others. [Eng.]

[3] The right of an actual settler upon public lands (particularly those of the United States) to purchase a certain portion at a fixed price in preference to all other applicants. Abbott.

Synonyms: