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

The same can be said of long-standing resistance training exercises and bodyweight movements like pull-ups, squats, push-ups and sit-ups. —Daryl Austin, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025

In the segment, Kilmeade did crunches and Jones did sit-ups with a 25-pound weight. —Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2025

Verb

The women, with a better weight-to-strength ratio, can just clip on that pole like a pair of koalas and sit up there all day. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2025

So to be able to sit up here with them, with the whole team and share this moment is extremely validating. —Allison Smith, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 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