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

But in February 2023, a group of Christian churches and anti-LGBTQ+ groups began opposing the event, staging sit-in protests at the public library where the event was held, harassing the performers online and claiming that the event was putting the children attending in danger. —Stephen Daw, Billboard, 12 June 2025

Being Heumann focuses on Heumann (Madeley), who leads over a hundred disabled people in a 28-day sit-in at the San Francisco Federal Building in 1977. —Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2025

Verb

What initiatives have been sitting in purgatory for months—or quarters—because no one wants to pull the trigger? —Brent Gleeson, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025

Cuomo endured the attacks with the good cheer of a man sitting in the dentist’s chair. —Eric Lach, New Yorker, 8 June 2025

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