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

This four-seat (technically) convertible wraps its occupants in tailored luxury and backs up its sleek appearance with muscular performance. —Jason Fogelson, AJC.com, 20 Mar. 2026

His truck struck a Volkswagen Jetta and a Chevrolet Silverado, killing occupants in those vehicles, before continuing another tenth of a mile and hitting 13 additional vehicles. —Alex Driggars, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026

Many former occupants of the apartment complex are living in temporary housing scattered across the city. —ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026

Three occupants of the SUV are still hospitalized with serious injuries, police said. —Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 19 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