# occupancy

/ˈɑkjəpənsi/ (US) · /ˈɒkjʊpənsi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/occupancy
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. living in or using a building

noun · CEFR B2

the act of living in a house or using a building for work.

For teachers: the act of occupying or the state of being an occupant or tenant in a property.

- The new apartment building is ready for occupancy starting next month.
- The certificate of occupancy was delayed by several weeks due to a failure in the fire suppression system's final inspection.

### 2. number of people in a space

noun · CEFR B2

the number of people using a room or building compared to how much space there is.

For teachers: the proportion of available space that is currently used or rented, often expressed as a percentage.

- The hotel had a high occupancy rate during the summer holidays.
- The city council introduced new regulations to limit the maximum occupancy of small venues to ensure public safety during concerts.

### 3. period of time

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the length of time that someone lives in or uses a property.

For teachers: the duration or period during which a person or entity holds or inhabits a specific premises.

- During her occupancy of the house, she made many improvements to the garden.
- The lease agreement clearly outlines the responsibilities of the tenant throughout the entire period of their occupancy.

### 4. expected frequency

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

how often a specific state or event is expected to happen.

For teachers: the expected frequency or probability of a specific state within a system.

- The scientist measured the occupancy of different energy levels in the atom.
- In statistical mechanics, the fractional occupancy of the binding sites can be calculated using the Langmuir isotherm equation.

## Examples

- The hotel has a high occupancy rate this summer.
- The fire marshal checked the room to ensure the total occupancy did not exceed the legal limit for the venue.
- Urban planners monitor residential occupancy to determine whether the current housing supply meets the demands of the growing population or if new developments are necessary.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.