vacancy
noun
va·can·cy
ˈvā-kən(t)-sē 
plural vacancies
1
: a vacant office, post, or tenancy
2
a
: a vacating of an office, post, or piece of property
b
: the time such office or property is vacant
3
: physical or mental inactivity or relaxation : idleness
4
: empty space : void
specifically
: an unoccupied site for an atom or ion in a crystal
5
: the state of being vacant : vacuity
6
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
Republicans currently have a 218-214 majority with three vacancies (one Democratic, two Republican).
—
Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 9 Feb. 2026
Bowden-Lewis then appointed her preferred candidate to fill the vacancy in an acting capacity.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 6 Feb. 2026
Nationally, Denver ranks as the fifth-highest market for overall housing vacancy rates as of January, Tobin said.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 6 Feb. 2026
As the only Eastern Conference team not to make a move at the deadline, the Heat bypassed that opportunity to address what likely will be two available roster vacancies the balance of the season.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vacancy
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Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 9 Feb. 2026
Bowden-Lewis then appointed her preferred candidate to fill the vacancy in an acting capacity.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 6 Feb. 2026
Nationally, Denver ranks as the fifth-highest market for overall housing vacancy rates as of January, Tobin said.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 6 Feb. 2026
As the only Eastern Conference team not to make a move at the deadline, the Heat bypassed that opportunity to address what likely will be two available roster vacancies the balance of the season.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vacancy
Cite this Entry
“Vacancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vacancy. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
vacancy
noun
va·can·cy
ˈvā-kən-sē
plural vacancies
1
: something (as an office or hotel room) that is vacant
2
: empty space
3
: the state of being vacant
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