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

As Paxton's office alleges, a gender-neutral changing room that accommodates multiple occupants at once is expressly prohibited by law. —Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 3 June 2026

The vehicle's occupants escaped the flames and were taken to a hospital for treatment. —Nick Caloway, CBS News, 3 June 2026

According to the authorities, both of the women and the two boys were occupants in the same vehicle. —Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026

The onsite restaurant went through a several hit-and-miss iterations before the current occupant, La Pentola, took over. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 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