vacancy

noun

va·​can·​cy ˈvā-kən(t)-sē 

plural vacancies

1

: a vacant office, post, or tenancy

2

a

: a vacating of an office, post, or piece of property

b

: the time such office or property is vacant

3

: physical or mental inactivity or relaxation : idleness

4

: empty space : void

specifically : an unoccupied site for an atom or ion in a crystal

5

: the state of being vacant : vacuity

6

archaic : an interval of leisure

Synonyms of vacancy

• emptiness
• void

Examples of vacancy in a Sentence

School administrators are trying to fill vacancies before the beginning of the school year.

There were no vacancies at the hotel.

Recent Examples on the Web

Office vacancy has remained relatively flat in 2026, while leasing activity has increased. — Jasmine Arenas, CBS News, 31 July 2026

Companies that intentionally build a Capability Ecosystem—acquiring, creating, renewing and reconnecting capabilities—are doing more than filling vacancies. — Sheila Callaham, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Occupancy sensors switch lights on automatically when someone enters a room, while vacancy sensors require a manual on but handle the off. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson july 31, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026

That has left at least one vacancy in the attacking position which needs to be filled given the injuries, suspensions or fatigue that will kick in over the schedule ahead. — Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 31 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

vac(ant) + -ancy, in part after Medieval Latin vacantia

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 6

Kids Definition

vacancy

noun

va·​can·​cy ˈvā-kən-sē 

plural vacancies

1

: something (as an office or hotel room) that is vacant

2

: empty space

3

: the state of being vacant