occupy
verb (used with object)
to take or fill up (space, time, etc.).
were occupying
-
past progressiveof occupy.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The theory would have limited tribal claims to territories they were occupying or legally disputing on the day the constitution was ratified.
From Salon ● Sep. 27, 2023
Shortly after Mr. Macron’s government survived a no-confidence vote last week, students pushed into the doors of the University of Bordeaux’s 140-year-old human sciences building and declared they were occupying it.
From New York Times ● Mar. 31, 2023
As of last month, 57 people were occupying 20 rooms there.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 15, 2023
They have vacated most of the buildings they were occupying, and are now stressing they will only focus on peaceful demonstrations.
From BBC ● Jul. 16, 2022
Was it simply that four men were occupying one house?
From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers
