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

Khalil and Faran were in the southern Lebanese town of Al-Tayri, covering developments there when an Israeli attack targeted the vehicle in front of them, killing its occupants. —Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026

The fourth occupant of the tank, the driver, survived but was injured, officials said. —ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026

All of the occupants of the home were able to evacuate the building safely, officials said. —Pioneer Press, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026

Broward Corrections Two other occupants in the car, Jerome Taylor, 32, and Kelby Broward-Richardson, 31, were initially not located. —Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 19 Apr. 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