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

Vroman, a Natomas parent, was staging a sit-in at the district office with her son, chronicling her day via videos on her Instagram. —Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 17 Mar. 2026

In 1947, civil rights activist Bayard Rustin staged a sit-in at the hotel until he was provided a room. —Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 15 Mar. 2026

Verb

On Sunday, April 12, the influencer, 28, shared a snap to her Instagram Stories of the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star — who is the ex-husband of cast member Miranda Hope — sitting in the grass arm-in-arm at the iconic music festival. —Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026

Images from Chopper 3 showed the charred remains of the truck sitting in the median near the City Avenue exit. —Joe Brandt, CBS News, 14 Apr. 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