inhabit

[ in-hab-it ]

verb (used with object)

1. to live or dwell in (a place), as people or animals:

   Small animals inhabited the woods.

   Synonyms: populate, tenant, occupy, reside

2. to exist or be situated within; dwell in:

   Weird notions inhabit his mind.

   Synonyms: populate, tenant, occupy, reside

verb (used without object)

1. Archaic. to live or dwell, as in a place.

inhabit

/ ɪnˈhæbɪt /

verb

1. tr to live or dwell in; occupy
2. archaic.
   intr to abide or dwell

Derived Forms

• inˌhabiˈtation, noun
• inˌhabitaˈbility, noun
• inˈhabitable, adjective

Other Words From

• in·hab·it·a·ble adjective
• in·hab·i·ta·tion noun
• pre·in·hab·it verb (used with object)
• pre·in·hab·i·ta·tion noun
• re·in·hab·it verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of inhabit¹

First recorded in 1325–75; from Latin inhabitāre, equivalent to in- in- ² + habitāre “to dwell” ( habit ² ); replacing Middle English enhabiten, from Middle French enhabiter, from Latin as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of inhabit¹

C14: from Latin inhabitāre, from habitāre to dwell

Example Sentences

Sierra Club founder John Muir rhapsodized about the purity of wilderness, supporting the push to protect Yosemite’s lands from the “dirty” influence of the native tribes who inhabited it.

From Salon

Whoever had this found it for a reason, and I’m sure it’s lived 100 lives before it got to me, and I like to think about the souls that inhabit it.

From Los Angeles Times

In the sketch, “Night Club Line” he inhabits a Miami club owner, who attempts to shape his bouncer, played by Jason Momoa, into a kinder man to the ladies and clubbers.

From Salon

Lady Gaga has inhabited many different versions of herself in the last decade of her career and in the new video for "Disease," she exchanges blows with a few of them.

From Salon

“If you look at Narnia, the depth and breadth of the fantasy world that it inhabits — having that level of detail ... having that imagery presented in Imax is huge,” Dergarabedian said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• locate
• occupy
• populate
• possess
• reside