in situ

adverb or adjective

in si·​tu (ˌ)in-ˈsī-(ˌ)tü 

-ˈsi-,

-(ˌ)tyü 

 also  -ˈsē-,

-(ˌ)chü 

: in the natural or original position or place

an in situ cancer confined to the breast duct

Examples of in situ in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The revival requires Burnett to tour the cultural capitals, and to talk about the film and therefore his life in situ, as if life did not present its trials after. —Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 14 June 2025

Finally, Simonetti inlayed dark mother-of-pearl when the unit was in situ. —Nicole Trilivas, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025

While some have argued for simply adding more landers and rovers, the analyses that can be done in laboratories on Earth will provide much more information than can be obtained on Mars with in situ assets that have, of necessity, extremely limited scientific instrumentation. —Bruce Jakosky, Space.com, 14 May 2025

The test is intended as a next generation of diagnostics, enabling more accurate diagnosis than the current standard, fluorescence in situ hybridization, without requiring the painful intrusion of a bone marrow biopsy. —Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, in position

First Known Use

1740, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for in situ

• amadou
• avenue
• ballyhoo
• baraboo
• barbecue
• barbeque
• bugaboo
• cabildo
• caribou
• cockatoo
• detinue
• devalue

Kids Definition

in situ

adverb or adjective

in si·​tu (ˈ)in-ˈsī-t(y)ü 

-ˈsi-

: in the natural or original position

the cancer cells remained in situ

Etymology

Latin, "in position"

Medical Definition

in situ

adverb or adjective

in si·​tu

(ˈ)in-ˈsī-(ˌ)t(y)ü, -ˈsi- also -ˈsē-, -(ˌ)chü

: in the natural or original position or place

an in situ cancer confined to the breast duct

see carcinoma in situ