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 of inhabitant

• resident
• occupant

Examples of inhabitant in a Sentence

the inhabitants of the town don't like the tourists

Recent Examples on the Web

The documentary focuses on the inhabitants of Antarctica, and captures an apparent moment of madness within a colony of Adélie penguins, who endure scathingly harsh conditions in the icy wasteland. —Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026

The dearth of trees on the island implied to some that the inhabitants had cut them down to make clubs and shields. —Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026

The zombie-like inhabitants aren’t just nameless fodder. —Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2026

Interpretive kiosks teach about the park's long history as a ceremonial center dating back to the 1500s, and its original inhabitants, the Calusa Native Americans. —Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 25 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for inhabitant

• habitant

Kids Definition

inhabitant

noun

in·​hab·​it·​ant

in-ˈhab-ət-ənt

: one who lives permanently in a place