occupant

[ ok-yuh-puhnt ]

noun

1. a person, family, group, or organization that lives in, occupies, or has quarters or space in or on something:

   the occupant of a taxicab; the occupants of the building.

2. a tenant of a house, estate, office, etc.; resident.
3. Law.
   1. an owner through occupancy.
   2. one who is in actual possession.

occupant

/ ˈɒkjʊpənt /

noun

1. a person, thing, etc, holding a position or place
2. law a person who has possession of something, esp an estate, house, etc; tenant
3. law a person who acquires by occupancy the title to something previously without an owner

Other Words From

• non·occu·pant noun
• pre·occu·pant noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of occupant¹

1590–1600; < Middle French occupant, present participle of occuper. See occupy, -ant

Example Sentences

It would make less financial sense for developers to replace existing rent-stabilized housing, and some builders would instead choose to build in single-family areas where they’d demolish houses an occupant has chosen to sell.

From Los Angeles Times

President-elect Donald Trump has given two wealthy entrepreneurs a mission that has eluded many other occupants of the White House: Make the U.S. government smaller and more efficient.

From Los Angeles Times

When they arrived, officers and "members of a self-defence group" attacked the vehicle, slashing its tyres and forcing occupants out through tear-gas.

From BBC

The court then issued guidelines, which make it mandatory for authorities to give a 15-day notice to an occupant before the alleged illegal property is demolished.

From BBC

According to the report, two vehicles intercepted and blocked a silver saloon car with two occupants from the front and behind.

From BBC

Related Words

• denizen
• dweller
• holder
• incumbent
• inhabitant
• renter
• resident
• tenant