preoccupation
UK: priːˌɒkjʊˈpeɪʃən | US: priˌɑːkjəˈpeɪʃən
n. a state of being absorbed in thought or mental engagement to the exclusion of other things
n. something that dominates one's attention or concerns
preoccupation = pre<before> + occup<take> + ation<noun suffix>
- pre<before>: From Latin prae-, meaning "before" or "ahead."
- occup<take>: From Latin occupare, meaning "to seize" or "to take possession of."
- ation<noun suffix>: A suffix forming nouns indicating an action or state.
Etymology Origin:
The word "preoccupation" traces back to Latin praeoccupatio, combining prae- (before) and occupare (to seize). Originally, it referred to the act of seizing something beforehand, but over time, it evolved metaphorically to describe a mental state where thoughts "seize" one's attention in advance, leaving little room for other concerns. This shift reflects the human tendency to fixate on ideas or worries, effectively "occupying" the mind.
Her preoccupation with work left little time for family.
His constant preoccupation with health issues became exhausting.
The artist's preoccupation with light is evident in her paintings.
Social media is a common preoccupation among teenagers.
She broke free from her preoccupation and enjoyed the present moment.