Meaning

(transitive, of time) To take or use..

Definitions by Sense

1. (transitive, of time) To take or use.
2. (transitive) To take or use space.
3. (transitive, obsolete) To have sexual intercourse with.
4. (obsolete) To do business in; to busy oneself with.
5. (obsolete) To use; to expend; to make use of.

Example Sentences

1867, Robert Nares A Glossary OCCUPY, [sensu obsc.] To possess, or enjoy. These villains will make the word captain, as odious as the word occupy. 2 Hen. IV, ii, 4. Groyne, come of age, his state sold out of hand For 's whore; Groyne still doth occupy his land. B. Jons. Epigr., 117. Many, out of their own obscene apprehensions, refuse proper and fit words, as occupy, nature, and the like. Ibid., Discoveries, vol. vii, p. 119. It is so used also in Rowley's New Wonder, Anc. Dr., v, 278.

God's light, these villains will make the word as odious as the word 'occupy;' which was an excellent good word before it was ill sorted

not able to occupy their old crafts

All the ships of the sea, with their mariners, were in thee to occupy the merchandise.

They occupy not money themselves.

all the gold that was occupied for the work

Word Forms

• occupies
• occupying
• occupied
• no-table-tags
• glossary
• occupy
• occupiest
• occupieth
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Synonyms for occupy

Related Words

When Should You Use Occupy?

Use occupy when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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