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pre-emption

pre-emption

9.0
A rule that federal law is more important than state law on the same subject
  • noun
  • /priˈɛmptʃən/
  • Formal
translation icon : preeminencia
  • Under the principle of pre-emption, state governments cannot pass laws that undermine federal statutes.

Examples

  • The doctrine of pre-emption was cited when the state law conflicted with federal regulations.

  • The Supreme Court's ruling on pre-emption clarified the balance of power between federal and state authorities.

  • The principle of pre-emption is crucial in federal law.

  • Many states have laws that conflict with federal pre-emption rules.

  • The Supreme Court's ruling on pre-emption clarified the balance of power between federal and state authorities.

  • The doctrine of pre-emption was cited when the state law conflicted with federal regulations.

  • Under the principle of pre-emption, state governments cannot pass laws that undermine federal statutes.

Synonyms

preemption
vspre-emption
  • Formal
3 8.8

Federal law comes before state law when they cover the same subject

is the same meaning but written with a hyphen

Surface Forms

pre-emption singular
pre-emptions plural
preemptions plural
preemption singular

Morphology

pre-emption = pre-empt (semi-transparent) = pre + empt + ion

Formed from 'pre-empt' + -ion, but the legalized sense 'federal law takes precedence over state law' is a specialized institutional meaning that may not be immediately obvious to learners.

Etymology

The word pre-emption is made of pre- 'before' and emere 'to take', so it carries the idea of 'taking before' others; that is why in law pre-emption means a rule or right that comes first and has priority over other laws.