sit-up

1 of 2

noun

ˈsit-ˌəp 

: a conditioning exercise performed from a supine position by raising the torso to a sitting position and returning to the original position without using the arms or lifting the feet

sit up

2 of 2

verb

sat up; sitting up; sits up

intransitive verb

1

a

: to rise from a lying to a sitting position

b

: to sit with the back erect

2

: to show interest, alertness, or surprise

sit up and take notice

3

: to stay up after the usual time for going to bed

Examples of sit-up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Finalists invited to Kansas City not only have to perform but are tested on their knowledge of football, public-speaking talent and fitness — push-ups, sit-ups, plank poses. —Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2025

There is also a fitness court with various stations for pull-ups, sit-ups and stretching. —Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 May 2025

Verb

Soon after famed architect Walter De Garmo built the first mansion, the global elite began to sit up and take notice. —Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 13 May 2025

But that exposure certainly helped people sit up and take notice. —Josef Adalian, Vulture, 9 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1900, in the meaning defined above

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for sit-up

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup

Kids Definition

sit-up

noun

ˈsit-ˌəp

: an exercise done by lying on the back and rising up to a sitting position by bending forward at the waist without lifting the feet and returning to the original position