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

Still, these two youngsters don’t shy away from it, whether the topic is past and present occupants of the White House or issues like immigration. —Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026

However, a third occupant in the truck, a 5-year-old girl, was found alive and transported to an area hospital. —Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026

Los Angeles fire paramedics pronounced one occupant of the BMW dead at the scene and took three others to a hospital — including the toddler, who later died. —Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026

The Sheriff's Office said the suspect vehicle and occupants are suspected in other retail thefts throughout the Bay Area. —Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 6 May 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