third-person singular verb
Uses a particular place or amount of space.
The company occupies the entire building.
The furniture occupies too much space.
American English
How to pronounce occupies
verbB2Common word
AHKyuhpaiz
/ˈɑk.jəˌpaɪz/
3 syllables · Stress the first syllable.
Form of occupy
Uses a particular place or amount of space.
Practice out loudMeanings & examples
third-person singular verb
Keeps someone busy, or keeps itself busy, with an activity.
The job occupies most of her time.
The puzzle occupies him while he waits.
third-person singular verb
Takes control of a country, city, or building by military force.
The army occupies the city.
The invading force occupies the port.
third-person singular verb
Has a particular job or position, especially an important one.
She occupies a senior position at the bank.
He occupies a key position in the organization.
Useful expressions
to keep yourself busy by doing or using something
I occupied myself with a crossword.
to be busy doing or dealing with something
She was occupied with a client.
Related words & forms
The spelling changes to i in occupies and occupied, but the y stays in occupying.