sit-up

1 of 2

noun

ˈsit-ˌəp 

: a conditioning exercise performed from a supine position by raising the torso to a sitting position and returning to the original position without using the arms or lifting the feet

sit up

2 of 2

verb

sat up; sitting up; sits up

intransitive verb

1

a

: to rise from a lying to a sitting position

b

: to sit with the back erect

2

: to show interest, alertness, or surprise

sit up and take notice

3

: to stay up after the usual time for going to bed

Examples of sit-up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The Atlantic reported that more than one-third of new ICE recruits were unable to pass the academy’s basic fitness requirements, which include completing at least 15 push-ups, 32 sit-ups, and a 1.5-mile run in under 14 minutes. —Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025

Physical fitness testing: Next, I was guided through a series of physical performance tests: max sit-ups, max push-ups, and a 3-minute plank. —Dana Ingemann, Health, 17 Sep. 2025

Verb

One is lying, one sitting up, but both provide scares. —Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 21 Oct. 2025

Rothman sat up at the front of the plane. —Jon Landau, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1900, in the meaning defined above

Verb

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

Rhymes for sit-up

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup

Kids Definition

sit-up

noun

ˈsit-ˌəp

: an exercise done by lying on the back and rising up to a sitting position by bending forward at the waist without lifting the feet and returning to the original position