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

Cans, water containers, mattresses and crosses - seeming evidence of the home's former Christian occupants — lay scattered across a dirty room. — Diego Ibarra Sánchez, NPR, 19 Sep. 2026

According to the investigation, the shooting began as a road-rage dispute between the garbage truck driver, who was performing his normal route, and occupants of a white box truck that was blocking the roadway, the release stated. — Keily Alfonzo, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026

According to Fort Worth police, a motorist — later identified as Dwabe — had stopped to help the occupants of a vehicle who’d been involved in a collision. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Sep. 2026

All three occupants were evaluated for smoke inhalation at the scene and were taken to an area hospital, according to fire officials. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 16 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