inhabit

verb

in·​hab·​it in-ˈha-bət 

inhabited; inhabiting; inhabits

transitive verb

1

: to occupy as a place of settled residence or habitat : live in

inhabit a small house

2

: to be present in or occupy in any manner or form

… the human beings who inhabit this tale …

—Al Newman

intransitive verb

archaic : to have residence in a place : dwell

inhabitable

in-ˈha-bə-tə-bəl 

adjective

inhabiter noun

Examples of inhabit in a Sentence

Several hundred species of birds inhabit the island.

This part of the country is inhabited by native tribes.

There is a romantic quality that inhabits all her paintings.

The novel is inhabited by a cast of eccentric characters.

Recent Examples on the Web

Ten thousand people who understand the product, inhabit the places associated with it and possess the means to purchase it can be a market. — Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

Before long, even the stage would look remarkably like the Northeastern world Kahan’s songs have always inhabited. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 26 July 2026

Biologists say some 1,000 species of moths inhabit the swamp. — Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 25 July 2026

If Casey Schmitt continues to merit an everyday role, and Matt Chapman continues to inhabit third base, then second base would be a potential avenue. — The Athletic Mlb Staff, New York Times, 24 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English enhabiten, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French inhabiter, enhabiter, from Latin inhabitare, from in- + habitare to dwell, frequentative of habēre to have — more at give

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for inhabit

• cohabit
• jackrabbit
• abbot
• habit
• rabbit
• sabot
• shabbat

Kids Definition

inhabit

verb

in·​hab·​it in-ˈhab-ət 

: to live or dwell in

inhabitable

-ət-ə-bəl 

adjective