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 large fire at the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach Hotel in Bayahibe, about 85 miles east of Santo Domingo, led to the evacuation of nearly 1,700 tourists, staff, and contractors at the property, which was operating at close to 84% occupancy at the time, authorities said in a statement. —Mike Snider, USA Today, 20 June 2026

There were multiple offers and the property went under contract in about a month, a indicator that downtown apartment conversion projects in the last decade are attractive to investors who see occupancies remaining strong. —Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 20 June 2026

The hotel was operating at close to 84% occupancy at the time of the fire, authorities said. —Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 20 June 2026

At the time of the fire, the hotel was operating at 84% occupancy. —Los Angeles Times, 20 June 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