# occupant

/ˈɑkjəpənt/ (US) · /ˈɒkjʊpənt/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/occupant
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

a person who lives in a house or room, or someone who is inside a vehicle at a particular time.

For teachers: a person who resides in or uses a specific space, such as a building, room, or vehicle.

## Examples

- The police asked the occupant of the car to step out.
- The new apartment building is ready, but the first occupant will not move in until next month.
- Emergency services must account for every occupant of the office block during a fire drill to ensure that the evacuation protocols are functioning effectively.

## Usage notes

- Often used in formal or official contexts, such as legal documents, insurance forms, or news reports.

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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.