inhabit

American  

[in-hab-it] / ɪnˈhæb ɪt /

verb (used with object)

1. to live or dwell in (a place), as people or animals.

   Small animals inhabited the woods.

   Synonyms:

   populate, tenant, occupy, reside

2. to exist or be situated within; dwell in.

   Weird notions inhabit his mind.

   Synonyms:

   populate, tenant, occupy, reside

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verb (used without object)

1. Archaic. to live or dwell, as in a place.

inhabit British  

/ ɪnˈhæbɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to live or dwell in; occupy

2. archaic (intr) to abide or dwell

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Other Word Forms

• inhabitability noun
• inhabitable adjective
• inhabitation noun
• preinhabit verb (used with object)
• preinhabitation noun
• reinhabit verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of inhabit

First recorded in 1325–75; from Latin inhabitāre, equivalent to in- in- ² + habitāre “to dwell” ( habit ² ); replacing Middle English enhabiten, from Middle French enhabiter, from Latin as above

Example Sentences

But even Mahajan’s most “self-destructive” Chopras who “live deathwards” have motivations so sophisticatedly complex that readers will inhabit their eyes, ears and bodies without fully penetrating their psyches.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026

Scientists are uncovering new details about some of the earliest fish to inhabit Earth more than 400 million years ago.

From Science Daily • Mar. 12, 2026

They "create a mood, create a palette, create a feeling for characters, the places they inhabit."

From Barron's • Mar. 8, 2026

Allen had a test run on her infant’s gut microbiome—the collection of bacteria and other microorganisms that inhabit the digestive tract.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 3, 2026

And because of the special features necessary for our form of life, that’s the universe we inhabit.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

Related Words

• locate
• occupy
• populate
• possess
• reside