inhabitant
noun
in·hab·i·tant
in-ˈha-bə-tənt 
: 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
Synonyms
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
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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.
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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
Nglish: Translation of inhabitant for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of inhabitant for Arabic Speakers
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