Definition of "preoccupy"

preoccupy

/pɹɪˈɒkjupaɪ/

verb
third-person singular simple present preoccupies, present participle preoccupying, simple past and past participle preoccupied
1. (transitive) To distract; to draw attention elsewhere.
  Quotations
  Dr. Beeching's obvious intent is that if Scottish—and similarly unprofitable English and Welsh—railways are to be maintained, it must be done by an unconcealed subsidy; he is determined that the railways shall no longer be preoccupied with—and derided for—immense deficits which include the burden of social services the State must openly underwrite, if it wants them.
  1962 October, “Talking of Trains: Passed to you, Mr. Macmillan”, in Modern Railways, page 220
2. (transitive) To worry or concern (someone) so as to distract them.
3. (transitive, obsolete) To occupy or take possession of beforehand.
  Quotations
  Terrified at this uproar, […] she ran for shelter into the place which was pre-occupied by the other lady […] .
  1751, [Tobias] Smollett, The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle […], volumes (please specify |volume=I to IV), London: Harrison and Co., […]