vacancy

noun

va·​can·​cy ˈvā-kən(t)-sē How to pronounce vacancy (audio)
plural vacancies
Synonyms of vacancynext
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 of vacancy

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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
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.
But the job vacancy rate has climbed a bit in the past few months, as employer hiring has steadied but workers are in shorter supply. — Harry Holzer, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 If confirmed by the Senate, Severs would serve a term of five years, retroactive to the time of the vacancy, July 1, 2024. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026 The old guard will become increasingly decrepit, which will lead to a rash of vacancies one way or another. — Julian G. Waller, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026 Companies in some industries can’t find enough workers and have to pay premium wages to fill vacancies. — Paul Wiseman, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vacancy

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 6

Time Traveler
The first known use of vacancy was in 1598

Browse Nearby Words

vacance
vacancy
vacancy clause
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Cite this Entry

“Vacancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vacancy. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

vacancy

noun
va·​can·​cy ˈvā-kən-sē How to pronounce vacancy (audio)
plural vacancies
1
: something (as an office or hotel room) that is vacant
2
: empty space
3
: the state of being vacant

More from Merriam-Webster on vacancy

Nglish: Translation of vacancy for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about vacancy

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