The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook by BETTER WORDS R. B. Skinner

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occupy

verb

/ˈɒk yəˌpaɪ/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of occupy

To take control, possession, or ownership of a place, area, or space.
"The students occupy the classroom during school hours."

Detailed meaning of occupy

It entails physically being present in or inhabiting a location, often with the intention of using it for a specific purpose. When someone or something occupies a space, it implies an active presence that can involve residing, using, or utilizing the area in question. Occupation can occur in various contexts, such as a person occupying a house, a military force occupying a territory, or a business occupying a building. It conveys the idea of being in control or having a claim over a particular space, exerting influence, and maintaining a presence within it.

Example sentences containing occupy

1. Please occupy the empty seat next to me.
2. The protesters plan to occupy the government building.
3. The workers occupy the factory to demand better wages.
4. The soldiers occupy the strategic positions in the battlefield.
5. We should occupy our time with meaningful activities.
6. The children occupy themselves with board games.

History and etymology of occupy

The verb 'occupy' has its etymological origins in the Latin word 'occupare,' which is formed by combining 'ob,' meaning 'in the way of' or 'toward,' and 'capere,' meaning 'to take' or 'to seize.' Therefore, the etymology of 'occupy' conveys the idea of taking control, possession, or ownership of a place, area, or space. When someone or something is said to occupy a location or position, it implies that they have taken hold of it, often emphasizing the act of being in possession or control, as rooted in its Latin origins in the concept of taking or seizing a specific place or territory.

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Further usage examples of occupy

1. The tenants occupy the apartment on the second floor.
2. The company's headquarters occupy a prominent location downtown.
3. The bookshelves occupy one entire wall of the library.
4. The guests occupy the hotel rooms during their stay.
5. The thoughts of the upcoming event occupy my mind.
6. The new art installation will occupy the gallery space.
7. The employees occupy their cubicles in the office.
8. The toys occupy the playroom, scattered everywhere.
9. The paintings occupy a central place in the art exhibition.
10. The audience members occupy their seats before the show starts.
11. The forest animals occupy different regions based on their habitats.
12. The nomadic tribes occupy vast stretches of land in the desert.
13. The thoughts of the unresolved issue occupy my thoughts.
14. The army plans to occupy the enemy's territory by the end of the month.