sit

verb

\ ˈsit

sat\ ˈsat

\; sitting

Definition of sit

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1a : to rest on the buttocks or haunches sit in a chair —often used with down

b : perch, roost

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

5a : 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

7a : 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

9a : 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 : babysit

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 on

1 : to hold deliberations concerning

2 : repress, squelch

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

sit

noun

Definition of sit (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : the manner in which a garment fits

2 : an act or period of sitting

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about sit

Keep scrolling for more

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.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Many others, including children, were still awake and sitting against the walls. — Washington Post, "Quake shakes NW Japan, causes 21 injuries and minor damage," 20 June 2019 But like all Germans, none of the patients sitting quietly in the infusion ward here pay more than 10 euros a prescription, or about $11. — Noam N. Levey, latimes.com, "German patients get the latest drugs for just $11. Can such a model work in the U.S.?," 19 June 2019 That goal was evident in his decision to aim a message directly at his base during an appearance in Orlando, which sits at the heart of Florida's I-4 corridor. — Jonathan Allen, NBC News, "Trump, launching re-election bid, says Democrats 'want to destroy our country'," 19 June 2019 While thousands staked out sitting space on the baseball field, others filled the Stadium from the boxes to the upper grandstand, where the acoustics seemed best. — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "'Oh dear, oh dear. The lads in blue are here': When Rolling Stones (and police) packed County Stadium," 19 June 2019 Two Black women performed massage and body work in the left corner of the room, while another sat at a table in the back, selling an assortment of crystals. — Tyra Nicole Triche, chicagotribune.com, "The Brown Skin Lady Show provides a glittering glimpse of the beauty of women doing it for themselves," 19 June 2019 Called Scout, the system is an autonomous, weather-proofed unit that sits adjacent to fields. — Sean Gallagher, Ars Technica, "The fourth Industrial revolution emerges from AI and the Internet of Things," 18 June 2019 While Sparkle's story was directed toward children sitting at the speaker's feet, some teenagers also joined them in the front, and the whole congregation, young and old, clapped at the exciting parts of the tale. — Rachel Berry, Cincinnati.com, "Drag queen Sparkle Leigh brings LGBT storytime to Cincinnati church," 18 June 2019 Well, when the Major League Baseball Players Association sits down next week to open negotiations with MLB’s labor lawyers at the halfway point of the collective bargaining agreement, you can be assured Moustakas will be a prime exhibit. — Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY, "Snubbed in free agency twice, Brewers' Mike Moustakas having All-Star season," 18 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Cholodecki said there will be two menus, one that's concession-stand types of items and another that's more of a sit-down menu. — Carol Deptolla, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "The Dock at Bradford Beach opens Friday, joining MooSa's burgers and custard," 20 June 2019 Enjoy an early tee time, then relax afterward with cocktails, followed by a sit-down dinner and award ceremony. — Laura Groch, San Diego Union-Tribune, "North County Business Briefs, June 20," 20 June 2019 American and Chinese negotiators are set to resume talks on Wednesday ahead of the sit-down. — Julia Horowitz, CNN, "Fed time; Trade optimism; Markets in wait," 19 June 2019 According to Ilana, Noa agreed to a sit-down meeting with her and her father, who was there as a witness, on February 7th, 2019. — Elizabeth Gulino, House Beautiful, "Homepolish Allegedly Ruined This Woman’s Home and Then Ghosted Her," 17 June 2019 And Monday, on the morning of the biggest NBA game of the year, Parker broke news of his retirement in a sit-down interview with the same company that is broadcasting the Finals. — Mike Finger, ExpressNews.com, "As Tony Parker retires, he knows his legacy better than ever," 10 June 2019 During a 90-minute press gathering at SEC meetings and a subsequent 40-minute sit-down with Sports Illustrated, Shaw opened up on the inner-workings of SEC officiating. — Ross Dellenger, SI.com, "The SEC Grapples With Officiating in the Age of Outrage," 5 June 2019 During a sit-down for The Hollywood Reporter's Drama Actress Roundtable, the Game of Thrones star got real about refusing to strip down for future projects. — Nicole Saunders, Harper's BAZAAR, "Emilia Clarke's Empowering Reason For Turning Down a Starring Role in Fifty Shades of Grey," 24 May 2019 Later, Perrineau’s mother brokered a sit-down between Perrineau and Dunham, and Dunham apologized in person. — Mattie Kahn, Glamour, "Aurora Perrineau Wanted to Be Known as an Actor. Instead, Her Name Got Dragged Into Scandal," 21 May 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sit.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about sit

Dictionary Entries near sit

Statistics for sit

Last Updated

22 Jun 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for sit

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

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for sit

sit

verb

English Language Learners Definition of sit

: to be in a position in which your bottom is resting on a chair, the ground, etc., especially with your back upright

: to begin to sit : to put yourself in a sitting position

: to cause (someone) to be seated : to put (someone) in a sitting position

See the full definition for sit in the English Language Learners Dictionary

sit

verb

\ ˈsit

sat\ ˈsat \; sitting

Kids Definition of sit

1 : to rest upon the part of the body where the hips and legs join : to rest on the buttocks or hindquarters We sat and waited on a bench. The dog sat by the fire.

2 : to put the buttocks down on a surface I sat down to write a letter.

3 : to cause to be seated He sat the baby in the chair.

4 : perch entry 2 The bird sat on a branch.

5 : to be located or stay in a place or position A vase sits on the table.

6 : to provide seats for The car sits five.

7 : to hold a place as a member of an official group She was elected to sit in Congress.

8 : to hold a session The court sat last month.

9 : to pose for a portrait or photograph

10 : babysit