ˈäkyəˌpī transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: Middle English occupien to take possession of, occupy, employ, modification of Middle French occuper, from Latin occupare, from ob- + -cupare (akin to Latin capere to seize) — more at heave
1. : to engage the attention or energies of : busy , employ
the deeper issues which have occupied modern thinkers — A.N.Whitehead
had to be given extra work to occupy her — Jean Stafford
was occupied in national service throughout that period — Current Biography
2.
a. : to fill up (a place or extent)
occupies an attractive site along the bay shore — American Guide Series: Michigan
the center of the house was occupied by a magnificent mahogany staircase — R.M.Lovett
b. : to take up (a specified time)
they must have occupied tens of thousands of years — W.H.Dowdeswell
a ten-day race meet occupies the last week of July and the first week of August — American Guide Series: Maryland
3.
a. : to take possession of by conquest : seize
the enemy troops, in a massive attack, quickly occupied the eastern half of the country
b. : to take up residence in : settle in
the area was discovered in 1820 and was occupied soon after by pastoralists — H.W.H.King
c. : to maintain possession or control of by military occupation
second-grade troops, useful mainly to occupy parts of the country that have already been pacified — Brian Crozier
4.
a. : to hold possession of
occupied a ridge from which they dominated the crossroads
b. : to fill and perform the functions of
occupy the newly created office of chancellor — Current Biography
the woman occupied … a position very like that of the father in our society — Abram Kardiner
5. : to reside in as an owner or tenant
occupies the house that his grandfather built fifty years ago
occupies the apartment on a two-year lease
6. archaic : use
bind me fast with new ropes that never were occupied — Judg 16:11 (Authorized Version)
7. obsolete : to have sexual intercourse with
8. archaic : to use in commerce : trade with : invest
occupy thy merchandise — Ezek 27:9 (Authorized Version)