vacancy

noun va·can·cy \ ˈvā-kən(t)-sē \

|Updated on: 16 Jun 2018

Examples: vacancy in a Sentence

Definition of vacancy

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

See vacancy defined for English-language learners

See vacancy defined for kids

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 of vacancy from the Web

There are four vacancies now, and not all commissioners attended the meeting in Louisville.

— james bruggers, The Courier-Journal, "Ohio River panel wants to give up power to set pollution-control rules," 8 June 2018
There are technically two major vacancies in the city's health department: the top director's post and medical director.

— kevin litten, NOLA.com, "New Orleans starts hurricane season without a health director: why that matters," 1 June 2018
There is also a major vacancy in Seoul, South Korea: There's no confirmed U.S. ambassador, although Adm. Harry Harris, currently the head of the Pacific Command, has been nominated for that post.

— NBC News, "Pompeo's critical meetings to save Trump's North Korean summit," 30 May 2018
And there are 20 vacancies in the state Legislature and a slew of other incumbents facing stiff challenges, some for the first time ever.

— greg bluestein, ajc, "Today is the last day of early voting in Georgia: Catch up on the governor’s race.," 18 May 2018
There are four vacancies on the seven-member Fed board.

— jim puzzanghera, latimes.com, "Fed nominees slam Wells Fargo for consumer abuses and indicate bank's growth cap will be tough to lift," 15 May 2018
Observers say exacerbating the lack of relevant experience of some of Carson's political appointees are vacancies in other important positions at the agency.

— rene marsh, CNN, "Rise from one-time Uber driver to chief of staff startles some HUD observers," 14 May 2018
In the House, Republicans have a 119-81 edge over Democrats (there are three vacancies).

— Philly.com, "In fight for control of Pa. legislature, Philly suburbs a battleground," 10 May 2018
When there are vacancies, Roam will list them on Airbnb or other sites.

— carolyn said, San Francisco Chronicle, "San Francisco mansion joins Roam’s stable of co-living hotels," 27 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vacancy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of vacancy

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1598

in the meaning defined at sense 6

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vacancy Synonyms

VACANCY Defined for English Language Learners

vacancy

noun

Definition of vacancy for English Language Learners

: a job or position that is available to be taken
: a room in a hotel, motel, etc., that is available for use

VACANCY Defined for Kids

vacancy

noun va·can·cy \ ˈvā-kən-sē \

Definition of vacancy for Students

plural vacancies

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

2 : empty space

3 : the state of being vacant

Learn More about vacancy

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for vacancy Spanish Central: Translation of vacancy Nglish: Translation of vacancy for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of vacancy for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about vacancy

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vacancy

Definition of vacancy

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VACANCY Defined for English Language Learners

vacancy

Definition of vacancy for English Language Learners

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vacancy

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