occupancy

noun

oc·​cu·​pan·​cy ˈä-kyə-pən(t)-sē 

plural occupancies

1

: the fact or condition of holding, possessing, or residing in or on something

occupancy of the estate

2

: the act or fact of taking or having possession (as of unowned land) to acquire ownership

3

: the fact or condition of being occupied

occupancy by more than 400 persons is unlawful

4

: the use to which a property is put

industrial occupancy

5

: a building or part of a building intended to be occupied (as by a tenant)

Synonyms

• habitation
• occupation
• possession
• residency

Examples of occupancy in a Sentence

The sign above the auditorium door says, “Maximum occupancy: 500 persons.”

the landlord notified us of the need to cease occupancy in three months, when our apartment building would be sold

Recent Examples on the Web

House Bill 1004 would ban the use of algorithmic devices that are used to set or recommend rental prices or occupancy levels in rental housing. —The Denver Post, Denver Post, 29 Mar. 2025

As of December 31, 2024, the company owned 27 properties, with a portfolio occupancy rate of 99% and an average effective annual rental per square foot of $15.08. —Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 28 Mar. 2025

According to a spokesperson for Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, uptown occupancy rates for on the festival’s opening day was 89.9%, 82.7% on its second and 76.3% on the the final day. —Chyna Blackmon, Charlotte Observer, 28 Mar. 2025

Post-renovation, Hudson Commons attracted major tenants like Peloton and Lyft, achieving nearly full occupancy and significantly enhanced asset valuation. —Ali Hoss, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

occup(ant) + -ancy

First Known Use

1629, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing occupancy

• double occupancy
• maximum occupancy

Kids Definition

occupancy

noun

oc·​cu·​pan·​cy ˈäk-yə-pən-sē 

plural occupancies

1

: the act or condition of occupying or taking possession

takes occupancy on the first of the month

2

: the state of being occupied

an occupancy limit of 5 persons

Legal Definition

occupancy

noun

oc·​cu·​pan·​cy ˈä-kyə-pən-sē 

plural occupancies

1

: the fact or condition of holding, possessing, or residing in or on something

occupancy of the premises

2

: the act or fact of taking or having possession (as of abandoned property) to acquire ownership

3

: the fact or condition of being occupied

occupancy by more than 400 persons is unlawful

4

: the use to which a property is put

designed for industrial occupancy