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

The contours of Hind’s death grew into an international outrage, with Columbia student protesters renaming a campus building Hind’s Hall during a sit-in that spring; Macklemore wrote a song. —E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 11 Dec. 2025

Linton was conducting a sit-in supporting universal health care. —Ella Lee, The Hill, 10 Dec. 2025

Verb

One woman sat in her towel for 15 minutes after showering; someone else lay in bed under the covers. —The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026

At their Altadena home one recent evening, the Khans sat in their living room. —Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 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
• 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