Occupied

In general usage, "occupied" describes a state of being busy, engaged, or filled. The precise meaning depends on the context. It can refer to:

• A person being engaged in an activity: Meaning someone is currently busy doing something and therefore unavailable. For example, a person is "occupied" with work, a hobby, or a task.

• A space being filled or used: Meaning a physical or virtual space is not vacant. For example, a room is "occupied" by a person or furniture, or a computer port is "occupied" by a device.

• Military occupation: In international law, "occupied" refers to territory controlled by a foreign military power, often during or after a war. This occupation typically involves the imposition of the occupying power's authority and laws, impacting the lives of the civilian population residing in the occupied territory. The duration, legality, and conduct of military occupation are governed by international humanitarian law, including the Hague Conventions and the Fourth Geneva Convention. The key element distinguishing occupation from other forms of control is that the occupying power is not the sovereign power.

• Housing: A building or dwelling may be described as "occupied" if it is currently being lived in.

The state of being "occupied" is the opposite of being vacant, available, or free.