Which meaning of occupy best reflects the verb when space is taken up?

• A. To be inside something
• B. To dwell in
• C. To fill
• D. To keep someone busy

Answer: (C)

When we talk about space being taken up, the verb occupy means to fill or use up a space or area. It describes how much of a space is claimed by something. That’s why the sense best matching “space is taken up” is to fill. For example, the sofa fills most of the living room, leaving little open floor space. In this context, occupy isn’t about being inside something, living somewhere, or keeping someone busy; those ideas refer to location, residence, or time, respectively. So the idea of space being consumed points to filling up that space.