sit

1 of 2

verb

sat ˈsat How to pronounce sit (audio) ; sitting

intransitive verb

1
a
: to rest on the buttocks or haunches
sit in a chair
often used with down
b
2
: to occupy a place as a member of an official body
sit in Congress
3
: to hold a session : be in session for official business
4
: to cover eggs for hatching : brood
5
a
: to take a position for having one's portrait painted or for being photographed
b
: to serve as a model
6
archaic : to have one's dwelling place : dwell
7
a
: to lie or hang relative to a wearer
the collar sits awkwardly
b
: to affect one with or as if with weight
the food sat heavily on his stomach
8
: lie, rest
a kettle sitting on the stove
9
a
: to have a location
the house sits well back from the road
b
of wind : to blow from a certain direction
10
: to remain inactive or quiescent
the car sits in the garage
11
: to take an examination
12
13
: to please or agree with one
used with with and an adverb
the decision did not sit well with me

transitive verb

1
: to cause to be seated : place on or in a seat
often used with down
2
: to sit on (eggs)
3
: to keep one's seat on
sit a horse
4
: to provide seats or seating room for

sit

2 of 2

noun

1
: the manner in which a garment fits
2
: an act or period of sitting
Phrases
sit on
1
: to hold deliberations concerning
2
3
: to delay action or decision concerning
4
: to wait or be ready for (a specific pitch) in baseball
sit on one's hands
1
: to withhold applause : fail to show approval or enthusiasm
2
: to fail to take expected or appropriate action
sit pretty
: to be in a highly favorable situation
sit tight
1
: to maintain one's position without change
2
: to remain quiet in or as if in hiding
sit under
: to attend religious service under the instruction or ministrations of
also : to attend the classes or lectures of

Examples of sit in a Sentence

Verb He was sitting in a chair next to the window. She sat across from me during dinner. The children sat cross-legged on the floor playing a game. Are you going to sit there and watch TV all day? Don't just sit there—do something! She walked around the table and sat across from me. She sat the toddler in the chair. The cat likes to sit by the window. The bird sat on the ledge. The limousine is sitting outside. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Talent manager Tracy Gershon and music journalist Robert K. Oermann sat on the panel alongside him. Michael Lee Simpson, Peoplemag, 11 Sep. 2023 Waldon sat for a transcribed interview before the Ways and Means Committee on Friday. Erin B. Logan, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2023 Patrick sat at the helm of the Senate floor, in the dais. Olivia Osteen, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2023 The park has five campgrounds, including Wheeler Peak Campground, which sits at 10,000 feet. Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 11 Sep. 2023 The field hospital, which is equipped for surgery, did not yet have any patients early Monday as soldiers rushed to complete it, and several ambulances nearby sat idle. Kareem Fahim, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2023 The minor contact didn’t sit well with Elliott, who bumped Larson back when the cars got back on the track. Dave Skretta, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Sep. 2023 Those sitting near Biden included Secretary of State Antony Blinken and special climate envoy John F. Kerry, whose political career was marked by his service in the Vietnam War and then his opposition to it. Matt Viser and Meryl Kornfield, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Sep. 2023 The homes and buildings sit several feet above the boulevard. WSJ, 31 Aug. 2023
Noun
Rhoda is super smart and shows it with her wide variety of tricks, including sit, down and even beg. Joe Mutascio, The Indianapolis Star, 16 May 2023 For a long sit, nothing beats a pop-up, hub-style ground blind and a comfortable chair. Will Brantley, Field & Stream, 14 Mar. 2023 Audio via Jerry Berrier In May, Ms. Courchesne hosted a big sit alongside Jerry Berrier, a blind birder, on an All Person’s Trail near Ipswich, Mass. Alexandra Marvar, New York Times, 3 Aug. 2023 The days of Roman’s quirky little sits are over, and the very online are mourning the final Succession Sunday on Twitter. Vulture, 29 May 2023 The seat cushion is thick and comfortable for long sits, but sticks out and can be bulky if walking in tight brush. Justin Park, Popular Mechanics, 25 May 2023 The First Sit There’s always something special about the first sit of the year on a bear bait. Tyler Freel, Outdoor Life, 25 May 2023 In addition to the dash — a staggered 1.5- and 2.5-mile dog walk/run — there was a doggie leap or limbo contest, a best singing duo contest, a doggie musical sit contest, silly pet trick contest, peanut butter lick-off contest, vendors and much more. oregonlive, 13 May 2023 Only so many quirky sits, bad raps, and yaoi overtones the show can endure. Vulture, 19 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sit.' 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

Verb

Middle English sitten, from Old English sittan; akin to Old High German sizzen to sit, Latin sedēre, Greek hezesthai to sit, hedra seat

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun

circa 1628, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of sit was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near sit

Cite this Entry

“Sit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sit. Accessed 26 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

sit

verb
ˈsit
sat
ˈsat
; sitting
1
a
: to rest on the buttocks or haunches
sit in a chair
b
: to cause to be seated
sit yourself down
2
: to provide seats or seating room for
the car sits five people
3
: to occupy a place as a member of an official body
sit in Congress
4
: to hold a session
the court is now sitting
5
: to cover eggs for hatching : brood entry 2 sense 1
6
: to pose for a portrait or photograph : serve as a model
7
: to lie or rest in a condition or location
the vase sits on the table
8
: to remain inactive
the car sits in the garage
9

Legal Definition

sit

intransitive verb
sat; sitting
1
: to occupy a place as a member of an official or formal body
sit in Congress
sit on a board of directors
2
: to hold a session : conduct official business
the court sits in the state capital

More from Merriam-Webster on sit

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