oc·cu·py 
/ˈɑ:kjəˌpaɪ/ verb
oc·cu·pies; oc·cu·pied; oc·cu·py·ing /ˈɑ:kjəˌpaɪ/ verb [+ obj] 1 somewhat formal : to live in (a house, apartment, etc.)
▪ They have occupied the apartment for three years. ▪ She occupies the house that her grandfather built 50 years ago. ▪ They own another house that they occupy only three months out of the year. ▪ They occupy the room next to ours. 2 a : to fill or be in (a place or space)
▪ Someone was occupying [=sitting in] my place at the table. ▪ This region was once almost completely occupied by forests. ▪ Their house occupies a beautiful spot next to the ocean. — sometimes used figuratively ▪ That family trip occupies [=has] a special place in my memory.
b : to fill or use (an amount of time)
▪ Studying occupies nearly all of my time on the weekends. [=I spend nearly all of my time studying] ▪ Much of our time is occupied by answering questions from our customers. 3 : to make (someone, someone's mind, etc.) busy
▪ During the long train ride, they occupied [=busied] themselves with card games. ▪ These questions have continued to occupy her mind. ▪ Reading occupied me for most of the summer. = I occupied myself with reading for most of the summer. 4 : to take and keep control of (a town, foreign country, etc.) by using military power
▪ Enemy troops occupied the town. ▪ The army is occupying half of the country. 5 somewhat formal : to have (a job or position)
▪ She now occupies the highest position in the country's government. ▪ occupying a position of power
▪ They have occupied the apartment for three years. ▪ She occupies the house that her grandfather built 50 years ago. ▪ They own another house that they occupy only three months out of the year. ▪ They occupy the room next to ours.
▪ Someone was occupying [=sitting in] my place at the table. ▪ This region was once almost completely occupied by forests. ▪ Their house occupies a beautiful spot next to the ocean. — sometimes used figuratively ▪ That family trip occupies [=has] a special place in my memory.
b : to fill or use (an amount of time)
▪ Studying occupies nearly all of my time on the weekends. [=I spend nearly all of my time studying] ▪ Much of our time is occupied by answering questions from our customers.
▪ During the long train ride, they occupied [=busied] themselves with card games. ▪ These questions have continued to occupy her mind. ▪ Reading occupied me for most of the summer. = I occupied myself with reading for most of the summer.
▪ Enemy troops occupied the town. ▪ The army is occupying half of the country.
▪ She now occupies the highest position in the country's government. ▪ occupying a position of power
