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 lasted for nearly a month, is the longest occupation of a federal building and remains a key moment that helped pave the way to passing the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. — H. Alan Scott, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2026

Thirteen years after the sit-in, the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed, though even today, the fight for disability access is far from over. — Barry Levitt, Time, 6 Nov. 2026

Verb

The 42 Mountain View Rooms—which tend to be booked by families—sit in the main buildings, at nearly 650 square feet plus a terrace for the pool. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Nov. 2026

Yet amazingly, the Packers sit in last place in the tough NFC North, while the Panthers are in first thanks to another season of mediocrity for the NFC South. — Josh Dubow, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 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