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

The occupant of the fourth seat will be determined by a competition starting this month among users of Isaacson’s platform.

From Washington Post

Though large, the windowless room was too full for people to stay distant, and its occupants — including some who were not wearing masks — spent hours together.

From Washington Post

As I’m sure you can imagine, pushing the occupants of an entire building into a few public spaces doesn’t make for great social distancing.

From Washington Post

During this time, individuals may have been exposed to another occupant with coronavirus infection.

From Washington Post

At a crucial point in their mission a section of the submersible, a titanium structure shielding its occupants from the colossal pressure, literally breaks off.

From Washington Post

But the proud stone lion that once stood atop the tomb, as Peristeri has often maintained, suggests a male occupant and a warrior.

From The Daily Beast

Thus far the tomb at Amphipolis has produced artistic wonders, adding to speculation that its occupant(s) held very high rank.

From The Daily Beast

Coincidentally or not, in all of these streaks, the death of a President brought a new occupant to the White House.

From The Daily Beast

He is a popular former governor and current occupant of the Senate seat that Gillespie seeks to win.

From The Daily Beast

Indeed, the cupholders of every occupant in the row in front of me actually had chocolate milk in them.

From The Daily Beast

Continet hic Isthmus leucas admod quingentas circuitu suo, emque occupant Soriqui populi.

From Project Gutenberg

When the owner can afford it, an ample supply of cushions and shawls makes the clumsy vehicle more comfortable for its occupant.

From Project Gutenberg

Then, as Jessie looked again, her heart beat more violently as she recognized the face of the occupant.

From Project Gutenberg

The negro's warning against the occupant of the next cell assumes a new aspect.

From Project Gutenberg

Betty's knock had to be repeated twice before the occupant of the cabin responded.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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