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

The news about playing home games at an arena inhabited by NBA and NHL teams officially broke in early August. — Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Amenities and experiences The name Anasazi refers to the Native American civilization that once inhabited the Four Corners region, renowned for their cliff dwellings and recognized as the ancestors of today's Pueblo peoples. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Aug. 2026

Land targeted for conservation makes up a quilt of South Florida wilderness, from coastal wetland to tropical hammocks, inhabited by rare plants, butterflies, bats, snakes and other critters. — Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026

My hope is that this esteemed office will one day be inhabited by someone who respects democratic norms and is not a clear and present danger to democracy. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 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