SINCE 1828
in situ
adverb or adjective
in si·tu
| \ (ˌ)in-ˈsī-(ˌ)tü
, -ˈsi-, -(ˌ)tyü also -ˈsē-, -(ˌ)chü\
, -ˈsi-, -(ˌ)tyü also -ˈsē-, -(ˌ)chü\
Definition of in situ
: in the natural or original position or place
an in situ cancer confined to the breast duct
Examples of in situ in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The precise reasons for this remain a mystery to scientists, who are eager to make in situ measurements of the far side of the Moon. — Eric Berger, Ars Technica, "Here’s why China’s launch to the far side of the Moon is a big deal," 10 Dec. 2018 Watch This 50 People Explain Their State’s Most Popular Stereotypes To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that : 0%: 0% Curious to sample China’s own vintages in situ? — Mark Ellwood, Condé Nast Traveler, "Why China Should Be Your Next Wine Destination," 11 Sep. 2018 Of course, there is an inherent challenge of capturing the in situ acoustics in the first place, since getting audio equipment in and out of caves can be difficult. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "Cave acoustics can help sculpt more realistic sounds in digital space," 14 Nov. 2018 Most of the best is made here: take a tour of the Montelobos distillery to sample it in situ, or try it at one of the new local bars. — Mark Ellwood, Condé Nast Traveler, "Best Places to Visit in November," 20 Sep. 2018 Still in situ and able to locally -- help locally as discussed, along with your bureau colleagues. — Fox News, "Kellyanne Conway talks race relations in America; Sens. Graham and Reed on Space Force and sanctions," 12 Aug. 2018 In addition to gathering surface soil samples, Hayabusa2 will release a German-French rover called MASCOT that will hop across the surface, using its four instruments to analyze soil samples in situ. — Dennis Normile, Science | AAAS, "Japan’s new asteroid probe reaches its target after 3.2-billion-kilometer journey," 27 June 2018 The four artists who make up the collective, Wolfgang Gantner, Ali Janka, Florian Reither and Tobias Urban, spent two weeks building up the sculptures in situ in the large contemporary galleries at the Boijmans before the opening on May 19. — Nina Siegal, New York Times, "In This Exhibition, You Walk Through Excrement," 7 June 2018 Alas, nothing remains in situ of Fersen’s furnishings and objets d’art, although historic photographs blown up large and displayed in the vaulted drawing room give a sense of its crowded fin de siècle glamour. — Hamish Bowles, Vogue, "Exploring Villa Lysis, an Aesthete’s Retreat in Capri," 28 June 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'in situ.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on in situ
What made you want to look up in situ? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Name That Thing: Animal Edition
-
- Name that animal:
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share in situ
Resources for in situ