seat

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: a special chair of one in eminence
also : the status represented by it
b
: a chair, stool, or bench intended to be sat in or on
c
: the particular part of something on which one rests in sitting
the seat of a chair
trouser seat
d
2
a
: a seating accommodation
a seat for the game
a 200-seat restaurant
b
: a right of sitting
lost his seat in Congress
c
: membership on an exchange
3
a
: a place where something specified is prevalent : center
a seat of learning
b
: a place from which authority is exercised
the county seat
c
: a bodily part in which some function or condition is centered
the brain as the seat of the mind
4
: posture in or way of sitting on horseback
5
a
: a part at or forming the base of something
b
: a part (such as a socket) or surface on or in which another part or surface rests

seat

2 of 2

verb

seated; seating; seats

transitive verb

1
a
: to install in a seat of dignity or office
b(1)
: to cause to sit or assist in finding a seat
(2)
: to provide seats for
a theater seating 1000 persons
c
: to put in a sitting position
2
: to repair the seat of or provide a new seat for
3
: to fit to or with a seat
seat a valve

intransitive verb

1
archaic : to take one's seat or place
2
: to fit correctly on a seat
Phrases
by the seat of one's pants
: using experience and intuition rather than mechanical aids or formal theory

Examples of seat in a Sentence

Noun There were seats for six people at the table. a car with leather seats He used the box as a seat. He couldn't find his seat in the concert hall. The city recently built a new 1,000-seat theater. She booked a seat on the next flight to Rome. The stool's seat is broken. The chairs have woven seats. The Democrats gained two more seats in the last election. She won a Senate seat. Verb I could seat you here if you wish. The plans call for a stadium seating 30,000 people.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Ramon Navarro is not running again for his District 2 seat. Journal Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2024 The incumbent white congresswoman, Edna Kelly, opted to run for re-election elsewhere, and onlookers expected the open seat to go to a Black candidate. Ellen Wexler, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Mar. 2024 Minimalism could never—so, much like the return of big hair, maximalism has taken the driving seat for this one. Elle Turner, Glamour, 22 Mar. 2024 But the Assembly, where Democrats hold 62 of 80 seats under a new speaker who has promised to give his members more input on big decisions, has been slower to rally behind a plan. Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024 After attendees settled into their seats, dinner service commenced. Maia Torres, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2024 That’s when airlines – which usually concentrate on publicizing their inflight entertainment and fancy seats – started talking about HEPA filters. Julia Buckley, CNN, 9 Mar. 2024 Nay Palad Farm takes this aspiration to the next level: Every gargantuan seat can comfortably hold six; every table can accommodate the whole gang; every corner is engineered for a gathering. Susan D’arcy, Robb Report, 9 Mar. 2024 In the race for the open 75th District seat, which spans inland North and East County, three Republicans and three Democrats were competing to replace Marie Waldron, who was facing term limits, in a district that has favored Republicans. Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2024
Verb
In a video, seated on a bench in front of a blooming garden background, Catherine mentioned the importance of discussing the diagnosis with her three children, who are between the ages of 5 and 10. Amber Ferguson, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2024 The 15,000-square foot area seats 300 passengers, with a buffet, bar, and wellness room, surrounded by local art. Rachel Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Mar. 2024 In design, experts consistently use the rule of three—from seating arrangements (a sofa and two chairs, for example) to bookshelf displays. Sharon Greenthal, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Mar. 2024 Over the years, Jones and his father added rooms, so the restaurant can now seat nearly 150. Jenny Rudolph, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Mar. 2024 Seen seated with the Queen, who sat in the middle of a green sofa, are William and Kate’s kids — son Prince George, 10, daughter Princess Charlotte, 8, and son Prince Louis, 5 — with their royal cousins. Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 19 Mar. 2024 The two shared a loving moment seated side-by-side. Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 17 Mar. 2024 The singer would spend much of the night moving from one side to the other, and the latter half of Act II balancing atop a floating catwalk that rotated, placing him face-to-face with the fans seated in the upper sections of the arena. Thania Garcia, Variety, 14 Mar. 2024 The aft is home to a giant dining table and circular sofa that can both seat 10, while the bridge deck sports a wet bar with BBQ. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 13 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'seat.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English sete, from Old Norse sæti; akin to Old English gesete seat, sittan to sit

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1586, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of seat was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near seat

Cite this Entry

“Seat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seat. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

seat

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: something (as a chair) intended to be sat in or on
b
: the part of something on which one rests in sitting
seat of the trousers
a chair seat
c
: the part of the body on which a person sits : buttock sense 2a
2
a
: the place on or at which a person sits
had three seats for the game
b
: a right of sitting usually as a member
a seat in the senate
3
: a place or area where something is located
the seat of the pain
seats of learning
especially : a place (as a city) from which authority is exercised
the new seat of the government
4
: posture in or way of sitting especially on horseback
5
: a part or surface on which another part or surface rests
seated
-əd
adjective

seat

2 of 2 verb
1
a
: to place in or on a seat
seat a guest
b
: to provide seats for
a theater seating 1000 persons
2
: to repair the seat of or provide a new seat for
seat a chair
seater noun

Medical Definition

seat

1 of 2 noun
: a part or surface especially in dentistry on or in which another part or surface rests see rest seat

seat

2 of 2 transitive verb
: to provide with or position on a dental seat

intransitive verb

: to fit correctly on a dental seat

More from Merriam-Webster on seat

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