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 contrast, there are about 17,000 sit-in Starbucks stores across the United States. —Vivek Astvansh, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2025

One March 2024 protest saw a student sit-in that resulted in four students and one reporter arrested. —Angele Latham, Nashville Tennessean, 1 Oct. 2025

Verb

An emotionless Hamlin sat in his car, wiping his face with a towel as Larson celebrated with his team. —Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025

In the black and white clip, which appeared to be taken inside the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's private theater room, Harry and Zajfen were seen sitting in chairs while Markle was heard shrieking excitedly off camera. —Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 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