The term "right of preemption" refers to the legal right of a person or entity to purchase something before it is offered for sale to others. There are several synonyms for this term, including "right of first refusal," "option to purchase," and "preemptive right." These terms all refer to a similar idea, allowing a person or entity to purchase an asset or property before it is made available to other potential buyers. The right of preemption is often granted to existing shareholders, allowing them to maintain their ownership stake in a company by purchasing new shares before they are offered to the public.