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 sit-in inspired similar ones around North Carolina and a national movement with 700,000 students, clergy members and others fighting for racial equality. —Charlotte Observer, 12 Sep. 2025

Leading up to the vote, three Democratic lawmakers staged a days-long sit-in at the House chamber to protest that the session began while most members were absent. —Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025

Verb

Distances could run as little as 300 feet if an arterial street sits in between the facilities. —Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 23 Sep. 2025

The holding was sitting in a Finance Ministry unit created to manage assets seized from billionaires during the 2017 Ritz Carlton corruption purge. —Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 22 Sep. 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