sit-in

1 of 2

noun

1
2
a
: an act of occupying seats in a racially segregated establishment in organized protest against discrimination
b
: an act of sitting in the seats or on the floor of an establishment as a means of organized protest

sit in

2 of 2

verb

sat in; sitting in; sits in

intransitive verb

1
: to take part in or be present at a session of music or discussion as a visitor
often used with on
invited to sit in on a rehearsal
2
: to participate in a sit-in

Examples of sit-in in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Artist Nan Goldin and filmmaker Laura Poitras were among two hundred activists affiliated with Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) who were arrested following an October 14 sit-in the group staged in support of Palestine outside the New York Stock Exchange in Lower Manhattan. News Desk, Artforum, 16 Oct. 2024 The uncommitted delegation held an overnight sit-in at the Democratic National Convention in August to protest the lack of a Palestinian-American speaker. Aaron Navarro, CBS News, 19 Sep. 2024
Verb
In the play’s most striking image, the dead sit in the Grover’s Corners graveyard in rows—rather like a theatre audience—watching the living with quiet dispassion. Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2024 Two toddlers sat in a stroller, munching on Goldfish crackers and swinging their legs as the adults around them waved signs in support of Palestine. Riley Beggin, USA TODAY, 16 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sit-in 

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

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1936, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1936, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sit-in was in 1936

Dictionary Entries Near sit-in

Cite this Entry

“Sit-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sit-in. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

sit-in

noun
ˈsit-ˌin
: an act of sitting in seats or on the floor (as in a restaurant or office) as a means of organized protest

More from Merriam-Webster on sit-in

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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