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

It also couldn’t be repaired in situ. —Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 11 Jan. 2026

There is plenty of talent in English cricket and there really should be no reason why England cannot recover from this with Stokes, McCullum and Key all still in situ. —Paul Newman, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026

She was diagnosed with Stage 0 skin cancer, or carcinoma in situ, meaning that the cancer was on top of her skin and hadn't spread yet. —Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 4 Jan. 2026

Debris on the gallery floor indicates that the twin panels were wrecked in situ. —Michaëla De Lacaze Mohrmann, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026

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