What does 占める mean?
占める is a Japanese verb meaning “to take up; to account for” in English. It can also be translated as “to account for” depending on context. It is written as 占める in kanji, しめる in hiragana, and shimeru in romaji. This word is part of JLPT N3 vocabulary.
Example sentences
ある研究によれば、ガンによる女性の死亡数の中では肺がんが１７％を占めている。
A study shows lung cancer accounts for 17% of women's cancer deaths.
ギャンブルで味を占めるとなかなか止められない。
Once you get the taste for gambling, it's hard to give it up.