occupy

• Verbe utilisé pour désigner l'action de remplir un espace, un temps ou une attention, ou de prendre le contrôle d'un lieu.

A verb used to indicate the act of taking up space, time, or attention, or of taking control of a place.

1. Fill or take up spaceB1formal

   To fill or take up a particular amount of space or area.

   occuper (de l'espace)

   • The large sofa occupies most of the living room.
   • This building occupies an entire city block.
   • The bookshelf occupies the wall opposite the window.

   Synonymesconsumecoverfilltake upuseutilize

2. Live in or useB1formal

   To live or be present in a place, such as a house or office.

   Occuper (un lieu)

   • The family occupies the apartment on the third floor.
   • The company occupies the entire top floor of the building.
   • The students occupy the dormitory during the semester.

   Synonymesinhabitlive inlodge inpopulatetenant

3. Keep busy or engagedB1formal

   To keep someone busy or engaged in an activity.

   occuper

   • She occupied herself with reading a novel.
   • The children occupied their time by playing games.
   • He occupied his mind with solving puzzles.

   Synonymesabsorbamusebusydistractemployengageengrossinvolve

   Antonymesidlerelaxrest

4. Take control by forceB2formal

   To take possession or control of a place, especially by military force.

   Occuper par la force

   • The army occupied the city after the battle.
   • The rebels occupied the government building.
   • The territory was occupied by foreign troops for years.

   Synonymescaptureconquerinvadeseizesubjugatetake over

   Antonymesabandonevacuatevacatewithdraw