# occupy

/ˈɑkjəˌpaɪ/ (US) · /ˈɒkjʊpˌaɪ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/occupy
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to live in or use a space

verb · CEFR B2

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

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

- The family has occupied this farmhouse for over three generations.
- 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.

### 2. to keep busy

verb · CEFR B2

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

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

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

### 3. military takeover

verb · CEFR B2 · Formal

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

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

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

### 4. to hold a position

verb · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

to have a particular job or position in an organisation.

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

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

## Examples

- The new sofa will occupy most of the living room.
- The army moved in to occupy the border town until a peace treaty could be signed.
- While administrative duties occupy much of her schedule, she still finds time to conduct original research in the laboratory every morning.

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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.