inhabit

verb

in·​hab·​it in-ˈha-bət How to pronounce inhabit (audio)
inhabited; inhabiting; inhabits
Synonyms of inhabit

transitive verb

1
: to occupy as a place of settled residence or habitat : live in
inhabit a small house
2
: to be present in or occupy in any manner or form
… the human beings who inhabit this tale …—Al Newman

intransitive verb

archaic : to have residence in a place : dwell
inhabitable
in-ˈha-bə-tə-bəl How to pronounce inhabit (audio)
adjective
inhabiter noun

Examples of inhabit in a Sentence

Several hundred species of birds inhabit the island. This part of the country is inhabited by native tribes. There is a romantic quality that inhabits all her paintings. The novel is inhabited by a cast of eccentric characters.
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.
For Jekyll-Hyde, the costumes are crucial and add to the characterization, distinguishing the two men inhabiting the same body. — Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026 Billy, now inhabiting the body of and living as William, was then able to use his powers to help Tommy’s soul find a new body to inhabit. — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 Sivan is good at evoking loneliness through imagery, but not always the best at inhabiting it. — Harry Tafoya, Pitchfork, 14 Oct. 2026 His white room represented his meticulous palette and, quite possibly, a desire for control over Lina, who inhabited it. — Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inhabit

Word History

Etymology

Middle English enhabiten, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French inhabiter, enhabiter, from Latin inhabitare, from in- + habitare to dwell, frequentative of habēre to have — more at give

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of inhabit was in the 14th century

Rhymes for inhabit

See All Rhymes for inhabit

Browse Nearby Words

inhabile
inhabit
inhabitability
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inhabit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inhabit. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

inhabit

verb
in·​hab·​it in-ˈhab-ət How to pronounce inhabit (audio)
: to live or dwell in
inhabitable
-ət-ə-bəl How to pronounce inhabit (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on inhabit

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