occupancy

noun

oc·​cu·​pan·​cy ˈä-kyə-pən(t)-sē 

plural occupancies

1

: the fact or condition of holding, possessing, or residing in or on something

occupancy of the estate

The house is unsafe for human occupancy.

2

: the act or fact of taking or having possession (as of unowned land) to acquire ownership

3

: the fact or condition of being occupied

a single occupancy room

Occupancy by more than 400 persons is unlawful.

4

: the use to which a property is put

industrial occupancy

5

: a building or part of a building intended to be occupied (as by a tenant)

Synonyms of occupancy

• occupation
• habitation
• residency

Examples of occupancy in a Sentence

The sign above the auditorium door says, “Maximum occupancy: 500 persons.”

the landlord notified us of the need to cease occupancy in three months, when our apartment building would be sold

Recent Examples on the Web

The move gives authorities the ability to double fines and citations, impound vehicles for up to 72 hours and issue occupancy limits on the beach. —Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026

Its troubles come as tourism and hotel occupancy have flattened in Miami Beach. —Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026

The measure, which was the least specific of the four endorsed Wednesday, would reclassify online travel companies as hotel operators to increase how much of their hotel transactions would be subject to the city’s hotel tax, formally known as a transient-occupancy tax. —David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2026

In 2021, the California Legislature authorized a $150 million subsidy to encourage more soundstage production, fearing that the high occupancy rates would send filming to less busy jurisdictions. —Gene Maddaus, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

occup(ant) + -ancy

First Known Use

1629, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing occupancy

• double occupancy
• maximum occupancy

Kids Definition

occupancy

noun

oc·​cu·​pan·​cy ˈäk-yə-pən-sē 

plural occupancies

1

: the act or condition of occupying or taking possession

takes occupancy on the first of the month

2

: the state of being occupied

an occupancy limit of 5 persons

Legal Definition

occupancy

noun

oc·​cu·​pan·​cy ˈä-kyə-pən-sē 

plural occupancies

1

: the fact or condition of holding, possessing, or residing in or on something

occupancy of the premises

2

: the act or fact of taking or having possession (as of abandoned property) to acquire ownership

3

: the fact or condition of being occupied

occupancy by more than 400 persons is unlawful

4

: the use to which a property is put

designed for industrial occupancy