occupant

noun

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

Synonyms of occupant

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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.
Simpson was identified by the occupants aboard Del Sol's boat through a photographic lineup, according to the affidavit. — Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026 All of the occupants at the building at the time of the fire were safely evacuated. — Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2026 One of the occupants of the SUV was treated by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue in the parking lot, while the other was taken to Aventura Hospital. — Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2026 During an altercation between the occupants of the boats, Simpson swam to the air compressor and turned it off, according to an affidavit. — Milena Malaver, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2026 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

occupancy
occupant
occupation
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Occupant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/occupant. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

occupant

noun
oc·​cu·​pant ˈäk-yə-pənt How to pronounce occupant (audio)
: a person who occupies something
especially : resident entry 2 sense 1

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

Nglish: Translation of occupant for Spanish Speakers

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