occupant

noun

oc·​cu·​pant ˈä-kyə-pənt 

1

: one who acquires title by occupancy

2

: one who occupies a particular place

especially : resident

Synonyms

• denizen
• dweller
• habitant
• inhabitant
• inhabiter
• resident
• resider
• tenant

Examples of occupant in a Sentence

The apartment's previous occupant was a painter.

Both of the car's occupants were injured.

Recent Examples on the Web

Doucette entered the water and helped crew members of a local lobster boat who used a hammer to break one of the vehicle’s windows so the occupants could get out, the fire department said. —David Chiu, People.com, 19 May 2025

The East Putnam Fire Department said the lone occupant was able to exit the car under their own power before emergency crews responded. —Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 18 May 2025

It had been torn down after the next occupant of the fabled pink mansion, singer Englebert Humperdinck, sold it for $10 million. —Pete Hammond, Deadline, 18 May 2025

The only feature is a huge window, which allows the sole occupant to keep a close eye on the players training outside. —Jay Harris, New York Times, 16 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French, from present participle of occuper "to occupy"

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

occupant

noun

oc·​cu·​pant ˈäk-yə-pənt 

: a person who occupies something

especially : resident entry 2 sense 1

Legal Definition

occupant

noun

oc·​cu·​pant ˈä-kyə-pənt 

1

: one who occupies a particular place

an occupant of the car

the occupant of the apartment

2

: one who acquires title by occupancy