n. 1 what occupies one; a means of passing one's time. 2 a person's temporary or regular employment; a business, calling, or pursuit. 3 the act of occupying or state of being occupied. 4 a the act of taking or holding possession of (a country, district, etc.) by military force. b the state or time of this. 5 tenure, occupancy. 6 (attrib.) for the sole use of the occupiers of the land concerned (occupation road).
[ ME f. AF ocupacioun, OF occupation f. L occupatio -onis (as OCCUPY) ]