Pre-ēmpt'ion, n.

(-ēm/shun, 84), n. [Eng. prefix pre and emption; Fr. préemption.] The act or right of purchasing before others; as, (a.) The privilege or prerogative formerly enjoyed by the king of buying provisions for his household in preference to others, abolished by statute 12 Charles II. [Eng.] (b.) The right of a settler on the lands of the United States to purchase in preference to others, when the land is sold.