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 lunch counter sit-in-ers and freedom riders. —Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026

Hundreds crammed into the Minnesota Capitol on Saturday, rallying to support DFL lawmakers demanding a vote on gun reform after wrapping up a days-long sit-in protest in the state House chambers. —Reg Chapman, CBS News, 17 May 2026

Verb

The area The property sits in the Anambas archipelago, an 80-minute flight from Batam, an Indonesian island that’s a quick boat ride from Singapore. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026

At another wedding at at a castle, the band is asked to let a friend of the newlyweds sit in. —ABC News, 3 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