vacancy

noun

va·​can·​cy ˈvā-kən(t)-sē 

plural vacancies

1

: a vacant office, post, or tenancy

2

a

: a vacating of an office, post, or piece of property

b

: the time such office or property is vacant

3

: physical or mental inactivity or relaxation : idleness

4

: empty space : void

specifically : an unoccupied site for an atom or ion in a crystal

5

: the state of being vacant : vacuity

6

archaic : an interval of leisure

Synonyms

• black hole
• blank
• blankness
• emptiness
• vacuity
• void

Examples of vacancy in a Sentence

School administrators are trying to fill vacancies before the beginning of the school year.

There were no vacancies at the hotel.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Detroit Lions looked internally to fill their defensive coordinator vacancy and promoted linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard, a team source said. —Colton Pouncy, The Athletic, 25 Jan. 2025

Two other teams, the Diamondbacks (Josh Naylor) and Nationals (Nathaniel Lowe) filled their first base vacancies via trades. —Bill Madden, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Jan. 2025

The Chicago Bears have landed arguably the hottest head coach candidate for their vacancy, as Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is reportedly heading to the NFC North rival. —Scott Thompson, Fox News, 20 Jan. 2025

The Cowboys, Saints and Jets are also trying to fill coaching vacancies. —Phil Rogers, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

vac(ant) + -ancy, in part after Medieval Latin vacantia

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 6

Kids Definition

vacancy

noun

va·​can·​cy ˈvā-kən-sē 

plural vacancies

1

: something (as an office or hotel room) that is vacant

2

: empty space

3

: the state of being vacant