sit-in

1 of 2

noun

ˈsit-ˌin 

1

: sit-down sense 1

2

a

: an act of occupying seats in a racially segregated establishment in organized protest against discrimination

b

: an act of sitting in the seats or on the floor of an establishment as a means of organized protest

sit in

2 of 2

verb

sat in; sitting in; sits in

intransitive verb

1

: to take part in or be present at a session of music or discussion as a visitor

—often used with on

invited to sit in on a rehearsal

2

: to participate in a sit-in

Examples of sit-in in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The restaurant is in the former McCrory’s Five and Dime, where the famous sit-in by the Friendship 9 occurred in 1961. —Melissa Oyler, Charlotte Observer, 6 May 2025

Harvard was also asked to immediately reform its student discipline rules—including the adoption of a mask ban—and investigate all student violations regarding the sit-ins and protests that have occurred on-campus. —Solcyré Burga, Time, 6 May 2025

Verb

But the Angels sit in last place, six games back of first. —Sam Blum, New York Times, 3 May 2025

Still, that doesn’t mean simply sitting in their rooms and praying for divine inspiration on how to vote. —Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 2 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1936, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1936, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sit-in

• akin
• auxin
• buckskin
• chagrin
• deerskin
• foreskin
• fuchsin
• herein
• kingpin
• linchpin
• pigskin
• pinyin

Kids Definition

sit-in

noun

ˈsit-ˌin

: an act of sitting in seats or on the floor (as in a restaurant or office) as a means of organized protest