sit-in

1 of 2

noun

ˈsit-ˌin 

1

: sit-down sense 1

2

a

: an act of occupying seats in a racially segregated establishment in organized protest against discrimination

b

: an act of sitting in the seats or on the floor of an establishment as a means of organized protest

sit in

2 of 2

verb

sat in; sitting in; sits in

intransitive verb

1

: to take part in or be present at a session of music or discussion as a visitor

—often used with on

invited to sit in on a rehearsal

2

: to participate in a sit-in

Examples of sit-in in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In 1960, four college students staged a sit-in at Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina. —Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026

From the Greensboro sit-ins to the anti-war walkouts of the 1960s, young Americans have pressed the nation to honor its promises of liberty and equality. —Karl W. Bickel, Baltimore Sun, 24 Feb. 2026

Verb

The neighborhood/area Patio Elba sits in Santurce, one of San Juan’s most energetic and culturally layered neighborhoods. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Feb. 2026

Dak Lak Province sits in Vietnam’s Central Highlands region, a landscape defined by the dense forest canopy where researchers conducted their nighttime searches. —Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1936, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1936, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sit-in

• akin
• auxin
• buckskin
• chagrin
• deerskin
• foreskin
• fuchsin
• herein
• kingpin
• linchpin
• pigskin
• pinyin

Kids Definition

sit-in

noun

ˈsit-ˌin

: an act of sitting in seats or on the floor (as in a restaurant or office) as a means of organized protest