vacancy

noun

va·can·cy ˈvā-kən(t)-sē

plural vacancies

Synonyms of vacancy

: a vacant office, post, or tenancy

: a vacating of an office, post, or piece of property

: the time such office or property is vacant

: physical or mental inactivity or relaxation : idleness

: empty space : void

specifically : an unoccupied site for an atom or ion in a crystal

: the state of being vacant : vacuity

archaic : an interval of leisure

Examples of vacancy in a Sentence

School administrators are trying to fill vacancies before the beginning of the school year. There were no vacancies at the hotel.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

To continue decreasing the vacancy rate, Center City Partners has focused on older buildings that aren’t as appealing to a return-to-office workforce That focus is on renovations or conversions. — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026 To fill inspectors general vacancies, the Illinois Supreme Court would vet and submit nominees, from which the independent commission would make the final selection. — Collin Corbett, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 While the vacancy rate is still near its recent February peak, its fall since then marks its first decline since 2021. — Diana Olick, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026 The county’s Fire Department has four fire engineer jobs vacancies, and five additional firefighters are on leave. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vacancy

Word History

Etymology

vac(ant) + -ancy, in part after Medieval Latin vacantia

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 6

Time Traveler

The first known use of vacancy was in 1598

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

vacance

vacancy

vacancy clause

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Vacancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vacancy. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

vacancy

noun

va·can·cy ˈvā-kən-sē

plural vacancies

: something (as an office or hotel room) that is vacant

: empty space

: the state of being vacant

vacancy

noun

Synonyms of vacancy

Examples of vacancy in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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