occupation
noun
Occupation — the act of taking and holding possession of a building or land
Definition
The act of occupying or taking possession of a building; "occupation of a building without a certificate of occupancy is illegal"
In depth
Occupation, in this sense, names the act of occupying or taking possession of a building, territory, or space, ranging from the routine, legal residence in a property to the contested, often military occupation of foreign territory. The word also carries an entirely separate, equally common sense describing a person's profession or job, with context clarifying which meaning applies.
Origin
The word descends from Latin occupatio, a taking possession, from occupare, to seize or take over, formed from ob- (toward) and capere (to take or seize). That underlying sense of seizing or taking hold remains active in the word's spatial sense, whether describing legitimate tenancy or the more contested, often politically fraught occupation of disputed territory.
Usage examples
"Occupation of a building without proper authorization can result in significant legal consequences for the trespassers involved."
"The military occupation lasted considerably longer than either side had initially anticipated."
"Protesters' occupation of the public square drew sustained media attention for weeks."
How to use it
Occupation's sense of taking possession of space requires context to distinguish from its equally common professional sense, naming someone's job or career, with surrounding details about buildings, territory, or property generally clarifying the intended meaning.
Related concepts
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