sit

1 of 2

verb

ˈsit 

sat ˈsat  ; sitting

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

2 of 2

noun

1

: the manner in which a garment fits

2

: an act or period of sitting

Phrases

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

Synonyms

Verb

• set [chiefly dialect]

Examples of sit in a Sentence

Verb

He was sitting in a chair next to the window.

She sat across from me during dinner.

The children sat cross-legged on the floor playing a game.

Are you going to sit there and watch TV all day?

Don't just sit there—do something!

She walked around the table and sat across from me.

She sat the toddler in the chair.

The cat likes to sit by the window.

The bird sat on the ledge.

The limousine is sitting outside.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Hiring private security officers didn't sit well with Berkeley administrators. —Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2024

On top of all that, Jakob played his dad’s custom guitar and Mesa Boogie amp, while drummer Gaugh sat behind his signature green kit. —Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 14 Apr. 2024

Instructors sat alone in front of computers in classrooms and offices teaching their courses online, which is where nearly all the students are learning these days. —Matt Krupnick, The Arizona Republic, 14 Apr. 2024

Kawhi Leonard sat on the Clippers bench Sunday once again dressed in a sweatsuit, right next to Paul George, who was next to James Harden, the team’s three stars not playing in the final regular-season game before Los Angeles heads to the playoffs. —Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2024

The ‘Loma bubble’ PLNU sits on a seaside bluff partly shrouded by handsome palm and pepper trees. —Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2024

If Curry, Thompson and Green sit, might Chris Paul also join the street clothes crew? —Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2024

From Henry Ford LiveWell 107 calories (61% from fat), 8 grams fat (1 gram sat. —Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 13 Apr. 2024

Carrie shared photos of their outing on Instagram, which showed Carole getting the tattoo on her wrist, while the Grammy winner was seen sitting on a table so her foot could be tattooed. —Emily Krauser, Peoplemag, 13 Apr. 2024

Noun

But Trump Tower, where the triplex sits and which opened in 1983, has long been eclipsed by more modern high-rises, according to brokers and analysts. —Rukmini Callimachi, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2024

The lawn and side yard sit have been totally torn up: Mordente claimed the family did so after Flores caused a sewage back-up by clogging the pipes. —Peter Aitken, Fox News, 1 Mar. 2024

Wearing a bright orange sweater, the proud grandma leans in to show her grandson something on her phone as the two sit courtside. —Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 26 Feb. 2024

Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton and Las Vegas Aces player Kelsey Plum sit court side in the second quarter during the All Star Celebrity Game at Lucas Oil Stadium. —USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2024

On December 10, Thurman had the predator hunt of a lifetime, bagging two bobcats during one mid-morning sit—one of which turned out to be an extremely rare albino. —Travis Hall, Field & Stream, 28 Dec. 2023

Spending time over seven months in a fire lookout is the ultimate sit and see. —Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Nov. 2023

The durable fabric is waterproof, yet breathable, and the thick cushion rebounds, even after long sits. —Katherine Alex Beaven, Travel + Leisure, 10 Oct. 2023

Rhoda is super smart and shows it with her wide variety of tricks, including sit, down and even beg. —Joe Mutascio, The Indianapolis Star, 16 May 2023

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

circa 1628, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing sit

• sit by
• sit back
• sit in judgment
• sit up and take notice of
• sit about
• bed-sit
• sit through
• rest/sit on one's laurels
• sit bolt upright
• sit in
• sit-down
• sit around
• sit out
• sit in on
• not sit with
• sit still
• sit up
• sit on
• sit on one's hands
• sit idly by
• sit tight
• sit pretty
• sit under

Kids Definition

sit

verb

ˈsit

sat

ˈsat

; sitting

1

a

: to rest on the buttocks or haunches

sit in a chair

b

: to cause to be seated

sit yourself down

c

: perch entry 2 sense 2, roost

2

: to provide seats or seating room for

the car sits five people

3

: to occupy a place as a member of an official body

sit in Congress

4

: to hold a session

the court is now sitting

5

: to cover eggs for hatching : brood entry 2 sense 1

6

: to pose for a portrait or photograph : serve as a model

7

: to lie or rest in a condition or location

the vase sits on the table

8

: to remain inactive

the car sits in the garage

9

: babysit

Legal Definition

sit

intransitive verb

sat; sitting

1

: to occupy a place as a member of an official or formal body

sit in Congress

sit on a board of directors

2

: to hold a session : conduct official business

the court sits in the state capital