occupancy

American  

[ok-yuh-puhn-see] / ˈɒk yə pən si /

noun

plural

occupancies

1. the act, state, or condition of being or becoming a tenant or of living in or taking up quarters or space in or on something.

   Continued occupancy of the office depends on a rent reduction.

   Synonyms:

   possession, occupation, tenancy

2. the possession or tenancy of a property.

   You can have occupancy on June 1st.

3. the act of taking possession, as of a property.

4. the term during which one is an occupant.

5. the condition of being occupied.

   Occupancy of the auditorium is limited to 1200 people.

6. the use to which property is put.

7. exercise of dominion over property that has no owner so as to become the legal owner.

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occupancy British  

/ ˈɒkjʊpənsɪ /

noun

1. the act of occupying; possession of a property

2. law the possession and use of property by or without agreement and without any claim to ownership

3. law the act of taking possession of unowned property, esp land, with the intent of thus acquiring ownership

4. the condition or fact of being an occupant, esp a tenant

5. the period of time during which one is an occupant, esp of property

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Other Word Forms

• unoccupancy noun

Etymology

Origin of occupancy

First recorded in 1590–1600; occup(ant) + -ancy

Example Sentences

Kastle Systems said office occupancy rates in 10 major cities increased slightly last week compared to the prior week, as spring-break vacations concluded in parts of the country.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

In the U.A.E., occupancy was down 62%, according to CoStar.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

“Interestingly in markets like the UAE, you had very high occupancy at the start of the conflict because of the inability of folks to get commercial flights out of the region,” Marriott CEO Capuano said.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

The Manchester accommodation BID, a body representing 74 hotels and serviced apartments providers in the city, said cash raised from the charge had funded a campaign to boost stays during "traditionally lower occupancy months".

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026

It was in this manner that I discovered a room for immediate occupancy, in a house on a quiet street, the listing said, for eight dollars per week.

From "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri

Related Words

• ownership