in situ

adverb or adjective

in si·​tu (ˌ)in-ˈsī-(ˌ)tü 

-ˈsi-, 

-(ˌ)tyü 

also -ˈsē-, 

-(ˌ)chü 

: in the natural or original position or place

an in situ cancer confined to the breast duct

Examples of in situ in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

To fix this, the team altered the fabrication process and introduced an in situ crosslinking agent directly into the polymer film during its formation. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 18 June 2026

Oteri was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), which is an early form of breast cancer. —Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 15 June 2026

Ductal carcinoma in situ occurs when cancer cells line the ducts in the chest but have not spread to other tissue. —Doha Madani, NBC news, 10 June 2026

Glasner has only revealed the specifics of the logistics around this fixture after the team were in situ at their base in Germany. —Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 27 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin, in position

First Known Use

1740, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for in situ

• amadou
• avenue
• ballyhoo
• baraboo
• barbecue
• barbeque
• bugaboo
• cabildo
• caribou
• cockatoo
• detinue
• devalue

Kids Definition

in situ

adverb or adjective

in si·​tu (ˈ)in-ˈsī-t(y)ü 

-ˈsi-

: in the natural or original position

the cancer cells remained in situ

Etymology

Latin, "in position"

Medical Definition

in situ

adverb or adjective

in si·​tu

(ˈ)in-ˈsī-(ˌ)t(y)ü, -ˈsi- also -ˈsē-, -(ˌ)chü

: in the natural or original position or place

an in situ cancer confined to the breast duct

see carcinoma in situ