This is the 3433rd most frequent Polish word.
zajęły
"Zajęły" means "occupied" or "took" in English, depending on context.
Here, 'zajęły' refers to physically taking or occupying a spot or seat.
Zajęłyśmy miejsca przy oknie.
We took seats by the window.
In this sentence, 'zajęły' is used metaphorically to denote that something (issues) occupied time or attention.
Te kwestie zajęły większość spotkania.
These issues occupied most of the meeting.
'Zajęły' in this context means to undertake or dedicate oneself to a task.