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

The rally, organized by Jewish Voice for Peace, was set up first as an anti-war sit-in to demand that the Democratic politicians stop the sale of bombs to Israel, according to the organization's Instagram. —Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026

Shortly after his victorious sit-in with Teddy Swims on Coachella’s main stage, David Lee Roth strutted into the media tent. —Jeff Miller, Rolling Stone, 14 Apr. 2026

Verb

The Professor, with only her ex-partner’s cat for company, sits in her decaying apartment and grieves the loss of her relationship and her struggle with infertility. —Literary Hub, 6 May 2026

Located on car-free Mackinac Island, which sits in Lake Huron, and open from late-April through October, this historic lakefront property recently underwent a major refresh and is a picture-perfect spot for making family memories. —Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 6 May 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
• deerskin
• foreskin
• fuchsin
• herein
• kingpin
• linchpin
• pigskin
• pinyin

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