rhizoverbBeta
DictionarytenantProperty occupant
noun / verb

tenant

TEN-unt/ˈtenənt/

An occupant using property owned by another.

The tenant receives apartment keys from the landlord at the entrance.

An East Asian tenant receives apartment keys from a landlord at the entrance.
Etymology
tenFrenchto hold
+antFrenchpresent-participle ending

A tenant is literally someone holding property. The earlier legal meaning included holding land by title or lease; the familiar rental sense focuses on holding it under a landlord.

In context

probonolawalberta0:11
you might be here because you're a tenant and rent the property you live in
Landlord & Tenant: What to do in Court (Tips and Information)

More examples

  • Each tenant pays rent on the first of the month.
  • Two local businesses tenant the ground floor.
  • Each tenant has a separate workspace in the shared software service.

Forms

tenant · tenants · tenanted · tenanting

tenancy noun — The right or period of occupying another's property.

Similar words

renter
Emphasizes paying to use property rather than simply occupying it.
occupant
Anyone using a space, including someone who owns it.
lessee
Specifically identifies the party renting property under a lease.