What does "occupy" mean?

1. (to live in or use a space) to live in a house or use a room or building. 2. (to keep busy) to keep someone busy or to fill your time with an activity. 3. (military takeover) to take control of a town or country by using force, especially during a war. 4. (to hold a position) to have a particular job or position in an organisation.

How do you use "occupy"?

Often used in the passive voice when describing whether a room is being used. Commonly used in the reflexive form 'occupy oneself with'. Usually takes a direct object representing the territory or city. Typically used with high-level professional or political roles.

occupy

US //ˈɑkjəˌpaɪ// UK //ˈɒkjʊpˌaɪ// oc·cu·py

1 to live in or use a space (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to live in a house or use a room or building.

to reside in or use a physical space, such as a building or room, for a specific purpose.

Example

The family has occupied this farmhouse for over three generations.

Example

The administrative staff occupied the third floor of the building while the lower levels underwent extensive structural renovations.

Usage

Often used in the passive voice when describing whether a room is being used.
- vacate
- leave
2 to keep busy (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to keep someone busy or to fill your time with an activity.

to engage the attention or time of a person; to keep someone busy with a task or thought.

Example

She occupied herself with a crossword puzzle while waiting for the train.

Example

During the long winter months, the villagers occupied themselves with traditional crafts and storytelling to pass the time.

Usage

Commonly used in the reflexive form 'occupy oneself with'.
- bore
- idle

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3 military takeover (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Formal Law

to take control of a town or country by using force, especially during a war.

to take and maintain control of a place or territory by military force.

Example

The army moved in to occupy the capital city after the government fled.

Example

International observers monitored the border closely after foreign troops began to occupy the disputed territory in direct violation of the peace treaty.

Usage

Usually takes a direct object representing the territory or city.
- liberate
- surrender
4 to hold a position (v.)
C1 Advanced Academic Formal

to have a particular job or position in an organisation.

to hold a specific office, role, or position within a hierarchy.

Example

He has occupied the position of CEO for nearly ten years.

Example

The candidate who eventually occupies the chair of the department must demonstrate both academic excellence and administrative prowess.

Usage

Typically used with high-level professional or political roles.
- hold
- fill

Origin

From Middle English occupien, occupyen, borrowed from Old French occuper, from Latin occupāre (“to take possession of, seize, occupy, take up, employ”), from ob (“to, on”) + capiō (“to take”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *kap- (“to seize, grab”). Doublet of occupate, now obsolete.