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

In 2024, following sit-in protests at Google offices in New York and Sunnyvale, the company fired approximately 28 workers who participated in demonstrations against Project Nimbus. — Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

Maraga was detained and later released while staging a sit-in on a major road outside the national park’s main gate. — ABC News, 8 June 2026

Verb

Raphael Wicky is sitting in his childhood home in Switzerland, then maybe 8 years old, his eyes fixated on something on TV that would capture his attention for the next four decades. — Sam McDowell 9, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026

Post-massage, guests sit in the gardens and sip herbal tea to fully absorb the experience and allow their systems to adjust. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 July 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