The word "preemptive" means taking action before others can act, especially to prevent something anticipated or feared from happening. It is often used to describe a move intended to deter or stop an expected situation in advance, such as a preemptive strike in war or a preemptive business tactic to prevent a rival's move.
In summary, a preemptive action is one done ahead of time with the goal of preventing or blocking something else from occurring.
