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

The casino now resides in many homes and daily tempts the occupants. —Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026

But the occupant of the Oval Office doesn’t want his underlings engaging in self-promotion and vindictive lawsuits. —Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026

Every jurisdiction is different, but many have programs that help reduce costs for owner-occupants, for elderly homeowners and for those who have special needs or disabilities. —Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026

The fact that these particular occupants of her nest were mewing and covered in fur didn’t seem to bother her at all. —Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 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