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

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

Fact: Lifting heavy objects with poor form can contribute to back pain, but the major culprits are a sedentary lifestyle, poor posture, obesity and genetic factors.

From Science Daily

It was an older group, ages 40 to 79, with an average of 62, and fairly sedentary, taking a median of 5,165 steps a day.

From The Wall Street Journal

For starters, older bodies — especially after years of a sedentary lifestyle — are more susceptible to injuries.

From Los Angeles Times

The economy has shifted away from jobs requiring direct physical labor toward more sedentary jobs owing to computerization and mechanization, making age-based disability standards that assume jobs require physical exertion outdated and ripe for reform.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• inactive