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 four-count lawsuit alleges that High Meadow was negligent and reckless in allowing more than 150 students into a pool that had a maximum capacity of 105 occupants. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026

Flock cameras record passing vehicles whether or not their occupants are suspected of breaking the law. — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 2 Oct. 2026

That comparison is important because a direct cash buyer will usually evaluate the property differently than an owner-occupant looking for a home. — Ascend Agency, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026

After firefighters went into the building their gas monitors alerted immediately and the lone occupant of the building was subsequently evacuated, the NTSB said. — Aaron Cooper, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 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