occupy

Academic Word List, sublist 4.

About 9.43 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. verb To take or use. To fill.

   The film occupied three hours of my time.

2. verb To fill.

   The film occupied three hours of my time.

3. verb To possess or use the time or capacity of; to engage the service of.

   The film occupied me for three hours.

4. verb To fill or hold (an official position or role).

   I occupy the post of deputy cat catcher.

5. verb To hold the attention of.

   I occupied her friend while he made his proposal.

6. verb To take or use space. To fill space.

   The historic mansion occupied two city blocks.

7. verb To fill space.

   The historic mansion occupied two city blocks.

8. verb To live or reside in.

Similar words

inhabit reside take fill invade interest engage engross concern busy

Often followed by

the a an in it their his and themselves

Word family

occupancy occupant occupants occupation occupational occupations occupied occupier occupiers occupies