Occupants

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Individuals who live in a particular house, apartment, or other property
2. Persons present in a space such as a room, building, or vehicle as those inhabiting or using it
3. The group of people who occupy a residence or are inside a mode of transport

Etymology: "Occupants" is the plural of "occupant," a noun for someone who lives in or holds a place. The singular comes from Middle French "occupant," the present participle of "occuper" (to occupy), which in turn draws on Latin "occupāns," from "occupō," meaning to seize or take possession. Its root is "occupy" plus the suffix "-ant," so the word is built on the same idea as taking hold of something. The Latin verb "occupō" was itself a compound of "ob-" (toward or against) and "capere" (to take), so the core notion is grabbing hold of a thing. That physical sense of seizing is still visible when "occupant" refers to someone who takes up a space, whether a house, a car, or a seat.

Synonyms: inhabitants, residents

Antonyms: non-residents