inhabitant

noun

in·​hab·​i·​tant in-ˈha-bə-tənt How to pronounce inhabitant (audio)
: one that occupies a particular place regularly, routinely, or for a period of time
inhabitants of large cities
the tapeworm is an inhabitant of the intestine

Examples of inhabitant in a Sentence

the inhabitants of the town don't like the tourists
Recent Examples on the Web One of the only remnants of the Iowa colony is its old dining hall, which today houses a small French Icarian Village museum run by descendants of the community’s original inhabitants. John Last, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Nov. 2023 The narrative arc, in its dramatic and aesthetic conception, unfolds by showcasing the protagonist’s connection with the ancient inhabitants of the land, Gastaud noted. John Hopewell, Variety, 23 Nov. 2023 Its inhabitants, left homeless by addiction to fentanyl and methamphetamine, have nowhere else to go. Lev Facher, STAT, 16 Nov. 2023 The spa incorporates African ancestral healing traditions that early inhabitants of the British Virgin Islands relied on to combat new diseases that arrived with European settlers; treatments are infused with native plants in the form of balms, oils, lotions, and more. Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 12 Nov. 2023 In 2015, the homicide rate in El Salvador was roughly 103 per 100,000 inhabitants. Nelson Rauda Zablah, The Christian Science Monitor, 30 Oct. 2023 Video From The New Yorker To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Meanwhile, Fennell lavishes gleefully derisive attention on the splendiferous absurdities of the mansion and its inhabitants. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 18 Nov. 2023 The Velveteen Rabbit, meanwhile, endeavors to make friends with the inhabitants of William’s playroom, including the kind Wise Horse (voiced by Helena Bonham Carter), the bossy toy Car (Lois Chimimba) and the cranky King (Paterson Joseph). Amy Amatangelo, Los Angeles Times, 16 Nov. 2023 For the inhabitants of Grindavik, a small fishing town on Iceland’s southern peninsula, this isn’t a film but, as of last weekend, real life. K.j. Yossman, Variety, 16 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inhabitant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inhabitant was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near inhabitant

Cite this Entry

“Inhabitant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inhabitant. Accessed 9 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

inhabitant

noun
in·​hab·​it·​ant
in-ˈhab-ət-ənt
: one who lives permanently in a place

More from Merriam-Webster on inhabitant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!