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

Wadkins went to nationals her junior year for a documentary about Kitty Cone and the 504 sit-in after placing second at the state-level National History Day competition. — Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026

Shopkeepers in bazaars have staged sit-ins, not unlike those that preceded the January protests. — Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026

Verb

Put a Buck to Bed Don’t want to burn the first afternoon or two of deer season sitting in observation stands? — Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 6 Aug. 2026

Churchill’s original writing desk sits in his former bedroom. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 6 Aug. 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