sit

¹sit

verb \ˈsit\

sat\ˈsat\sit·ting

Definition of SIT

intransitive verb

1

a : to rest on the buttocks or haunches <sit in a chair> —often used with down b : perch, roost

2

: to occupy a place as a member of an official body <sit in Congress>

3

: to hold a session : be in session for official business

4

: to cover eggs for hatching : brood

5

a : to take a position for having one's portrait painted or for being photographed b : to serve as a model

6

archaic : to have one's dwelling place : dwell

7

a : to lie or hang relative to a wearer <the collar sits awkwardly> b : to affect one with or as if with weight <the food sat heavily on his stomach>

8

: lie, rest <a kettle sitting on the stove>

9

a : to have a location <the house sits well back from the road> b of wind : to blow from a certain direction

10

: to remain inactive or quiescent <the car sits in the garage>

11

: to take an examination

12

: babysit

13

: to please or agree with one —used with with and an adverb <the decision did not sit well with me>

transitive verb

1

: to cause to be seated : place on or in a seat —often used with down

2

: to sit on (eggs)

3

: to keep one's seat on <sit a horse>

4

: to provide seats or seating room for

— sit on

1

: to hold deliberations concerning

2

: repress, squelch

3

: to delay action or decision concerning

4

: to wait or be ready for (a specific pitch) in baseball

— sit on one's hands

1

: to withhold applause : fail to show approval or enthusiasm

2

: to fail to take expected or appropriate action

— sit pretty

: to be in a highly favorable situation

— sit tight

1

: to maintain one's position without change

2

: to remain quiet in or as if in hiding

— sit under

: to attend religious service under the instruction or ministrations of; also : to attend the classes or lectures of

Examples of SIT

1. He was sitting in a chair next to the window.
2. She sat across from me during dinner.
3. The children sat cross-legged on the floor playing a game.
4. Are you going to sit there and watch TV all day?
5. Don't just sit there—do something!
6. She walked around the table and sat across from me.
7. She sat the toddler in the chair.
8. The cat likes to sit by the window.
9. The bird sat on the ledge.
10. The limousine is sitting outside.

Origin of SIT

Middle English sitten, from Old English sittan; akin to Old High German sizzen to sit, Latin sedēre, Greek hezesthai to sit, hedra seat

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to SIT

Synonyms: set [chiefly dialect]

Related Words: perch; lounge, slouch, sprawl, squat, straddle

Near Antonyms: arise, get up, rise, stand

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with SIT

bit, bitt, brit, Brit, chit, dit, fit, flit, frit, git, grit, hit, it, kit, knit, lit, mitt, nit, pit, quit, skit, slit, snit, spit, split, Split, sprit, teat, tit, twit, whit, wit, writ, zit