sitting

noun

sit·ting | \ ˈsi-tiŋ

Definition of sitting

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : the act of one that sits

b : a single occasion of continuous sitting (as for a portrait or meal)

2a : a brooding over eggs for hatching

b : setting sense 6

3 : session a sitting of the legislature

sitting

adjective

Definition of sitting (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : that is setting a sitting hen

2 : occupying a judicial, legislative, or executive seat : being in office

3 : easily hit or played a sitting target

4a : used in or for sitting a sitting position

b : performed while sitting a sitting shot

Examples of sitting in a Sentence

Noun

I got through the book in one sitting. He finished the portrait in one sitting. We'll eat at the second sitting. We have reservations for the 5:30 sitting.

Adjective

a sitting member of Parliament

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Buckingham Palace did not specify in which room – the castle has about 1,000 – but the queen's sitting room is a possibility. — Maria Puente, USA TODAY, "What to expect when the Trumps meet Queen Elizabeth II at her favorite castle," 11 July 2018 The master suite — among the five bedrooms and six bathrooms — has a sitting room. — Jack Flemming, latimes.com, "New York Giants chairman Steve Tisch lands a new home field in Trousdale," 7 July 2018 Up a narrow stairway are two more bedrooms — one with a sitting room — and a full bath. — Jon Gorey, BostonGlobe.com, "For sale: Homes built centuries apart in Upton," 22 June 2018 On a smoggy day in late May, the Alibaba founder chooses to meet in his Japanese sitting room, with tatami mats, low-slung chairs, and traditional Chinese instrumental music playing softly on wall speakers. — Adam Lashinsky, Fortune, "Alibaba v. Tencent: The Battle for Supremacy in China," 21 June 2018 The official capacity is about 200 people standing and 56 sitting and, even with the population’s expanding waistbands, more energy is put into accelerating and braking the R-160a car itself than is used to actually move the people. — Peter Wayner, The Atlantic, "The New York City Subway Is Beyond Repair," 9 June 2018 Longtime server Cynthia Stillwell brings out the Hemingway trout dish, complete with the head, and recalls the time the 20-something man ate three platters in one sitting. — Shonda Talerico Dudlicek, Elgin Courier-News, "Guide to outdoor dining in Chicago suburbs: Port Edward in Algonquin," 7 July 2018 Scientists have been warning for some time that all that sitting is doing damage to the heart and other muscles. — Scott Berson, charlotteobserver, "Sitting too long doesn’t just hurt your heart – it might damage the brain, too, study says | Charlotte Observer," 13 Apr. 2018 Two sittings will take place, at 5 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. Reservations for dine-in or take-out meals should be made in advance by contacting the church via email at somcong@aol.com or calling 860-749-7741. — Courant Community, "Community News For The Enfield Edition," 10 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

The pattern of Catalonia supporting a losing side in a war, and paying through the nose for it, continued as right-wing fascist forces under the direction of General Francisco Franco sought to usurp the sitting Republican government in 1936. — Kate Keller, Smithsonian, "Beyond the Headlines, Catalan Culture Has a Long History of Vibrancy and Staying Power," 25 June 2018 Kylie is currently in Paris to celebrate Virgil Abloh’s premiere menswear collection for Louis Vuitton, which debuted yesterday to the likes of Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, and more sitting front row. — Avery Matera, Teen Vogue, "Kylie Jenner Wears a Fendi Two-Piece Towel Outfit," 22 June 2018 The study subjects reported average sitting times of three to 15 hours a day. — Melissa Healy, latimes.com, "Too much sitting may thin the part of your brain that's important for memory, study suggests," 13 Apr. 2018 Kasich is among a handful of sitting Republican governors who have spoken out against the GOP bills in Congress. — John Wagner, Washington Post, "Republicans running for governor put in a tough position by Trump health cuts," 28 June 2017 Outside, the 16,107-square-foot La Villa Contenta has more sitting areas for relaxation, work and watching the tots play. — Cara Zimmerman, Harper's BAZAAR, "Beyoncé Brought Her Twins Home to This $400k-per-Month Malibu Estate," 26 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sitting.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.