occupant

noun

oc·​cu·​pant ˈä-kyə-pənt How to pronounce occupant (audio)
1
: one who acquires title by occupancy
2
: one who occupies a particular place
especially : resident

Examples of occupant in a Sentence

The apartment's previous occupant was a painter. Both of the car's occupants were injured.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The two occupants of the jet ski stopped and started to turn back, but then sped away after apparently realizing Moore was injured. Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 May 2025 The latter is down from the previous occupant of the Tuesday-Friday time slot, Alex Wagner Tonight, which averaged 1.3 million viewers of its run from 2022 to 2025. Ted Johnson, Deadline, 28 May 2025 When the water reaches the level of a flood, a light goes on and a buzzer sounds to alert the occupants. Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2025 All seven occupants of the home, five adults and two children, escaped without injuries and are now displaced, Nassau County Chief Fire Marshal Michael Uttaro said, according to Newsday. Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 27 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for occupant

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French, from present participle of occuper "to occupy"

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of occupant was in 1578

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Occupant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/occupant. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

occupant

noun
oc·​cu·​pant ˈäk-yə-pənt How to pronounce occupant (audio)
: a person who occupies something

Legal Definition

occupant

noun
oc·​cu·​pant ˈä-kyə-pənt How to pronounce occupant (audio)
1
: one who occupies a particular place
an occupant of the car
the occupant of the apartment
2
: one who acquires title by occupancy

More from Merriam-Webster on occupant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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