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

If the vacancy remains, district judges may appoint a prosecutor to serve until the president nominates and the Senate confirms a replacement. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026

The mall does not disclose specific vacancy information, but Richardson said demand for space remains strong. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Gallery owners say years of mixed signals and the prospect of construction threaten a center already diminished by vacancies — and fear tenants may never come back. — Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

The position of lieutenant governor is a support role to the governor and serves as replacement to step in during a gubernatorial vacancy. — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 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