sedentary

American  

[sed-n-ter-ee] / ˈsɛd nˌtɛr i /

adjective

1. characterized by or requiring a sitting posture.

   a sedentary occupation.

2. accustomed to sit or rest a great deal or to take little exercise.

3. Chiefly Zoology.

   1. abiding in one place; not migratory.

   2. pertaining to animals that move about little or are permanently attached to something, as a barnacle.

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sedentary British  

/ ˈsɛdəntərɪ, -trɪ /

adjective

1. characterized by or requiring a sitting position

   sedentary work

2. tending to sit about without taking much exercise

3. (of animals) moving about very little, usually because of attachment to a rock or other surface

4. (of animals) not migratory

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Other Word Forms

• nonsedentarily adverb
• nonsedentariness noun
• nonsedentary adjective
• presedentary adjective
• sedentarily adjective
• sedentariness noun
• unsedentary adjective

Etymology

Origin of sedentary

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin sedentārius “sitting,” equivalent to sedent- (stem of sedēns, present participle of sedēre “to sit ¹ ”; -ent ) + -ārius -ary

Example Sentences

As diets have shifted toward calorie-dense foods and daily life has become more sedentary, rates of these disorders have climbed steadily around the world.

From Science Daily

While an EV is environmentally friendly, she argues it’s sedentary.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s a sedentary job, and it comes with no guarantees.

From MarketWatch

Ultimately, the goal is to develop strategies that lower perceived effort and help more people become physically active, especially those who are currently sedentary.

From Science Daily

These findings suggest that for people who are otherwise sedentary or low-active, focusing on longer, more intentional walking sessions could be an effective way to improve health outcomes, even without increasing total step counts.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• inactive