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

Maraga was detained and later released while staging a sit-in on a major road outside the national park’s main gate. —ABC News, 8 June 2026

Some staged a sit-in and refused to move into one of the new protest areas police set up using metal barriers and concrete blocks. —Philip Marcelo, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026

Verb

Spectators who are sitting in the sun are at higher risk for heat illness than those in the shade, says Vanos. —Rebecca Hersher, NPR, 17 June 2026

The most readily available funds are the roughly $12 billion sitting in Qatar, noted Gregory Brew, senior Iran and energy analyst at Eurasia Group. —David Goldman, CNN Money, 17 June 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
• crankpin
• deerskin
• foreskin
• fuchsin
• herein
• kingpin
• linchpin
• pigskin

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