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Added 9 October 2026

preoccupation

/ˌpɹiɑkjʊˈpeɪʃən/ noun

Latin root: praeoccupātiō Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about preoccupation at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

An idea that preoccupies the mind and holds the attention.
The mental state of being preoccupied by something.
The act of taking occupancy before someone else does.

Origin

Borrowed from Middle French préoccupation, from Latin praeoccupātiō. By surface analysis, pre- + occupation or preoccupy + -ation.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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