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 Bottom Line Despite viral claims, the iconic Greensboro sit-in counter remains proudly displayed at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. —Melissa Noel, Essence, 28 Apr. 2025

Washington — House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Sen. Cory Booker voiced their opposition to the Republican budget plan key to enacting President Trump's agenda as the sun rose on Sunday, holding a sit-in protest on the steps of the Capitol that lasted more than 12 hours. —Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2025

Verb

But the best thing to do is sit in the middle of town, people-watch, and take in its beautiful limestone streets. —Nico Lang, Them., 21 Apr. 2025

The new Eris Pro 6 studio monitors sit in the middle of PreSonus’s three Pro Series of monitors featuring varying woofer diameters. —Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025

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