sit-in

1 of 2

noun

ˈsit-ˌin 

1

: sit-down sense 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

Maraga was detained and later released while staging a sit-in on a major road outside the national park’s main gate. — ABC News, 8 June 2026

Some staged a sit-in and refused to move into one of the new protest areas police set up using metal barriers and concrete blocks. — Philip Marcelo, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026

Verb

The big differences sit in price, surrounding services and how the menu is sold. — Allison Palmer updated June 24, Sacbee.com, 24 June 2026

So instead, Jenna suggested paying her contact to get back the $90,000 sitting in Nekhala’s account. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 24 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1936, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1936, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sit-in

• akin
• auxin
• buckskin
• chagrin
• crankpin
• deerskin
• foreskin
• fuchsin
• herein
• kingpin
• linchpin
• pigskin

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