seat

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: a special chair of one in eminence
also : the status represented by it
b
: a chair, stool, or bench intended to be sat in or on
c
: the particular part of something on which one rests in sitting
the seat of a chair
trouser seat
d
2
a
: a seating accommodation
a seat for the game
a 200-seat restaurant
b
: a right of sitting
lost his seat in Congress
c
: membership on an exchange
3
a
: a place where something specified is prevalent : center
a seat of learning
b
: a place from which authority is exercised
the county seat
c
: a bodily part in which some function or condition is centered
the brain as the seat of the mind
4
: posture in or way of sitting on horseback
5
a
: a part at or forming the base of something
b
: a part (such as a socket) or surface on or in which another part or surface rests

seat

2 of 2

verb

seated; seating; seats

transitive verb

1
a
: to install in a seat of dignity or office
b(1)
: to cause to sit or assist in finding a seat
(2)
: to provide seats for
a theater seating 1000 persons
c
: to put in a sitting position
2
: to repair the seat of or provide a new seat for
3
: to fit to or with a seat
seat a valve

intransitive verb

1
archaic : to take one's seat or place
2
: to fit correctly on a seat
Phrases
by the seat of one's pants
: using experience and intuition rather than mechanical aids or formal theory

Examples of seat in a Sentence

Noun There were seats for six people at the table. a car with leather seats He used the box as a seat. He couldn't find his seat in the concert hall. The city recently built a new 1,000-seat theater. She booked a seat on the next flight to Rome. The stool's seat is broken. The chairs have woven seats. The Democrats gained two more seats in the last election. She won a Senate seat. Verb I could seat you here if you wish. The plans call for a stadium seating 30,000 people.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
That’s when airlines – which usually concentrate on publicizing their inflight entertainment and fancy seats – started talking about HEPA filters. Julia Buckley, CNN, 9 Mar. 2024 Nay Palad Farm takes this aspiration to the next level: Every gargantuan seat can comfortably hold six; every table can accommodate the whole gang; every corner is engineered for a gathering. Susan D’arcy, Robb Report, 9 Mar. 2024 In the race for the open 75th District seat, which spans inland North and East County, three Republicans and three Democrats were competing to replace Marie Waldron, who was facing term limits, in a district that has favored Republicans. Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2024 Santos's 3rd District House seat has already tipped to a Democrat, Rep. Tom Suozzi, who won a special election to replace Santos last month. Brian Mann, NPR, 8 Mar. 2024 Following the dramatic expulsion, Democrat Tom Suozzi won the special election to fill Santos’ former seat, flipping it blue again after only a year in Republicans' hands. Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024 This year, those same seats saw a slight uptick to $3,310 for nine Panthers home games. Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 8 Mar. 2024 Toilet seats are easily replaceable with this KOHLER 4636-RL-0 Cachet ReadyLatch Elongated Toilet Seat. Nora Colomer, Fox News, 8 Mar. 2024 The second-row seats accommodate three, but comfort might be an issue with adults. Kyle Edward, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
Verb
The image, also shared to the royal couple’s Instagram account, depicts Middleton seated, smiling, and surrounded by her three children. Brian Barrett, WIRED, 11 Mar. 2024 In the photo snapped by Prince William, 41, Kate was seated in a chair as the couple's children — Prince George, 10; Princess Charlotte, 8; and Prince Louis, 5 — were embraced by their mother. Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 10 Mar. 2024 Not the good Samaritans who start GoFundMe pages for struggling strangers who’ve fallen through our flimsy social safety net or those symbolic citizens representing reproductive freedom, gun control, labor rights and civil rights who were seated with first lady Jill Biden. Robin Givhan, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 But on Friday evening, he was seated in the audience for the film’s debut. James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2024 Last month, Kyle Buchanan was seated at a table at the Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, Calif., when, midway through the ceremony, a chant erupted outside. Josh Ocampo, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2024 In the episode, Ezra Koenig, Chris Baio, and Chris Tomson discuss their new album and more while seated around a campfire. Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 7 Mar. 2024 He and his girlfriend, Strickland, were seated diagonally across from the massive hole left in the plane when the door plug blew out, forcing an emergency landing. Laura Bratton, Quartz, 4 Mar. 2024 Over the years, rooms were added, so the restaurant can now seat nearly 150. Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'seat.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English sete, from Old Norse sæti; akin to Old English gesete seat, sittan to sit

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

1586, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of seat was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near seat

Cite this Entry

“Seat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seat. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

seat

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: something (as a chair) intended to be sat in or on
b
: the part of something on which one rests in sitting
seat of the trousers
a chair seat
c
: the part of the body on which a person sits : buttock sense 2a
2
a
: the place on or at which a person sits
had three seats for the game
b
: a right of sitting usually as a member
a seat in the senate
3
: a place or area where something is located
the seat of the pain
seats of learning
especially : a place (as a city) from which authority is exercised
the new seat of the government
4
: posture in or way of sitting especially on horseback
5
: a part or surface on which another part or surface rests
seated
-əd
adjective

seat

2 of 2 verb
1
a
: to place in or on a seat
seat a guest
b
: to provide seats for
a theater seating 1000 persons
2
: to repair the seat of or provide a new seat for
seat a chair
seater noun

Medical Definition

seat

1 of 2 noun
: a part or surface especially in dentistry on or in which another part or surface rests see rest seat

seat

2 of 2 transitive verb
: to provide with or position on a dental seat

intransitive verb

: to fit correctly on a dental seat

More from Merriam-Webster on seat

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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