occupant

noun

oc·​cu·​pant ˈä-kyə-pənt 

1

: one who acquires title by occupancy

2

: one who occupies a particular place

especially : resident

Synonyms

• denizen
• dweller
• habitant
• inhabitant
• inhabiter
• resident
• resider
• tenant

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

Grant Maunder, to create an interior that feels firmly rooted in a sense of place, from the reupholstered antique dining chairs left over by the building’s previous occupant to the flagstone floors fitted by a Welsh stone specialist. —Liam Hess, Vogue, 1 Nov. 2024

The research team has also made bold claims about the tomb's occupants. —Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024

On August 4, 1944, police raided the annex and arrested all of its occupants. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024

While the architectural details are firmly rooted in the past, the interiors are filled with modern comforts and contemporary accents that nod to the castle’s past occupants. —Allix Cott, Architectural Digest, 18 Oct. 2024

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

Kids Definition

occupant

noun

oc·​cu·​pant ˈäk-yə-pənt 

: a person who occupies something

especially : resident entry 2 sense 1

Legal Definition

occupant

noun

oc·​cu·​pant ˈä-kyə-pənt 

1

: one who occupies a particular place

an occupant of the car

the occupant of the apartment

2

: one who acquires title by occupancy