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 of occupant

• inhabitant
• resident
• tenant
• resider

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

The occupants of the vehicle, Martinez and Orta, are directed to exit the vehicle. —Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 7 Mar. 2026

The occupants of a commuter plane that crashed into a residential neighborhood shortly after taking off from Phoenix Deer Valley Airport could tell something was wrong with the plane's engine. —Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 6 Mar. 2026

The pilot, whose identity has not been released yet, was the sole occupant of the plane, police said. —Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026

Two occupants from the pickup were taken to hospitals with serious injuries. —Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2026

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