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

All of the home’s occupants had evacuated before fire crews arrived, the department said. —Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026

The cards were left in several cars abandoned after their occupants were arrested by ICE agents earlier this week in Eagle County, during what Sánchez described as fake traffic stops. —Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 23 Jan. 2026

The driver — the Tesla’s sole occupant — was able to get out of the car on her own. —Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026

The second occupant, who was physically challenged, was unable to escape. —Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 23 Jan. 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