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

• 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

With at least two vacancies in the starting rotation, a lack of veteran relievers and a free-swinging lineup that could use some reimagining, the Astros have an abundance of needs this winter. —Chandler Rome, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025

In May, the region’s federal district court judges appointed her as a magistrate judge to fill a vacancy. —Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2025

Now a new $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications spells trouble for those like Coverdale in rural parts of the country who rely on immigrants to fill vacancies in skilled professions like education and health care. —Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025

The vacancy has underscored tensions on the council, as well as calls from community members for a return to normalcy. —Hannah Elsmore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Oct. 2025

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