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

But in the quietest corner of the 10-acre sanctuary, away from the public’s prying eyes, a cohort of most unusual occupants sleep. —Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 20 Feb. 2026

The driver, 31-year-old Samuel Shaver, of Des Moines, was the only occupant of the 2021 Chevrolet pickup truck. —Kyle Werner, Des Moines Register, 20 Feb. 2026

In Becker County, the sheriff’s office said a Wednesday morning house fire in rural Carsonville Township killed one occupant and injured a second. —Forum News Service, Twin Cities, 19 Feb. 2026

Firefighters rescued one occupant from the apartment where the fire started and performed lifesaving measures, along with medics, for 40 minutes, Willie said, but the man died at the scene. —Katie Langford, Denver Post, 19 Feb. 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