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

Two male occupants were on board and were fatally injured, officials said. —Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026

On Monday, Naperville issued a commercial building alteration permit for the new occupant, city spokeswoman Linda LaCloche said. —Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026

According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, 35 states, DC and four territories have primary laws for front-seat occupants. —Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 31 Jan. 2026

Two additional occupants who evacuated before first responders arrived were not injured. —Tim Fang, CBS News, 30 Jan. 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