occupant

American  

[ok-yuh-puhnt] / ˈɒk yə pənt /

noun

1. a person, family, group, or organization that lives in, occupies, or has quarters or space in or on something.

   the occupant of a taxicab; the occupants of the building.

2. a tenant of a house, estate, office, etc.; resident.

3. Law.

   1. an owner through occupancy.

   2. one who is in actual possession.

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occupant British  

/ ˈɒkjʊpənt /

noun

1. a person, thing, etc, holding a position or place

2. law a person who has possession of something, esp an estate, house, etc; tenant

3. law a person who acquires by occupancy the title to something previously without an owner

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Other Word Forms

• nonoccupant noun
• preoccupant noun

Etymology

Origin of occupant

1590–1600; < Middle French occupant, present participle of occuper. See occupy, -ant

Example Sentences

The local authority confirmed the occupants of around 50 cars had stayed in the shrine building, and said no one had fallen ill.

From BBC

Police said the two occupants of the Mercedes had fled on foot.

From BBC

The injuries to the other two occupants are not thought to be serious at this time.

From BBC

“Recalled, unrepaired Takata air bags are dangerous and pose an immediate risk, as occupants have been seriously injured or killed in otherwise survivable crashes,” the agency said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Police Scotland said inquires to trace the sole occupant of the boat were ongoing.

From BBC

Related Words

• denizen
• dweller
• holder
• incumbent
• inhabitant
• renter
• resident
• tenant