sitting

1 of 2

noun

sit·​ting ˈsi-tiŋ 

1

a

: the act of one that sits

b

: a single occasion of continuous sitting (as for a portrait or meal)

2

a

: a brooding over eggs for hatching

b

: setting sense 6

3

: session

a sitting of the legislature

sitting

2 of 2

adjective

1

: that is setting

a sitting hen

2

: occupying a judicial, legislative, or executive seat : being in office

3

: easily hit or played

a sitting target

4

a

: used in or for sitting

a sitting position

b

: performed while sitting

a sitting shot

Examples of sitting in a Sentence

Noun

I got through the book in one sitting.

He finished the portrait in one sitting.

We'll eat at the second sitting.

We have reservations for the 5:30 sitting.

Adjective

a sitting member of Parliament

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For years, researchers have believed prolonged sitting could raise dementia risk — but new findings suggest the type of sitting may matter more than previously thought. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2026

From grooming anxious puppies to overnight pet sitting, caring for pets on wedding days and looking after farm animals, a local pet services business is expanding its reach in the Northland later this year. —Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 23 May 2026

Adjective

The prefab ones benefit from a little sitting time to allow the flavors to marry. —Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026

Even now, there’s no consensus about the best anti-sitting protocol. —Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 5 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

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

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sitting

• bed-sitting room
• fence-sitting
• sitting down
• sitting duck
• (sitting) in the catbird seat
• sitting room
• sitting tenant

Rhymes for sitting

• fitting
• flitting
• gritting
• hitting
• knitting
• pitting
• quitting
• slitting
• spitting
• splitting
• acquitting
• admitting

Kids Definition

sitting

1 of 2 noun

sit·​ting

ˈsit-iŋ

1

: an act of one that sits

especially : a single occasion of continuous sitting

finished the portrait in one sitting

2

a

: a brooding over eggs for hatching

b

: setting sense 5

3

: session sense 1

sitting of the legislature

sitting

2 of 2 adjective

: used in or for sitting

a sitting position