seat

American  

[seet] / sit /

noun

1. something designed to support a person in a sitting position, as a chair, bench, or pew; a place on or in which one sits.

   Synonyms:

   stool, throne

2. the part of a chair, sofa, or the like, on which one sits.

3. the part of the body on which one sits; the buttocks.

   Synonyms:

   fundament, bottom

4. the part of the garment covering it.

   the seat of one's pants.

5. a manner of or posture used in sitting, as on a horse.

6. something on which the base of an object rests.

7. the base itself.

8. a place in which something belongs, occurs, or is established; site; location.

9. a place in which administrative power or the like is centered.

   the seat of the government.

10. a part of the body considered as the place in which an emotion or function is centered.

    The heart is the seat of passion.

11. the office or authority of a king, bishop, etc..

    the episcopal seat.

12. a space in which a spectator or patron may sit; accommodation for sitting, as in a theater or stadium.

13. right of admittance to such a space, especially as indicated by a ticket.

14. a right to sit as a member in a legislative or similar body.

    to hold a seat in the senate.

15. a right to the privileges of membership in a stock exchange or the like.

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verb (used with object)

1. to place on a seat or seats; cause to sit down.

2. to usher to a seat or find a seat for.

   to be seated in the front row.

3. to have seats for; accommodate with seats.

   a theater that seats 1200 people.

4. to put a seat on or into (a chair, garment, etc.).

5. to install in a position or office of authority, in a legislative body, etc.

6. to fit (a valve) with a seat.

7. to attach to or place firmly in or on something as a base.

   Seat the telescope on the tripod.

verb (used without object)

1. (of a cap, valve, etc.) to be closed or in proper position.

   Be sure that the cap of the dipstick seats.

idioms

1. by the seat of one's pants, using experience, instinct, or guesswork.

seat British  

/ siːt /

noun

1. a piece of furniture designed for sitting on, such as a chair or sofa

2. the part of a chair, bench, etc, on which one sits

3. a place to sit, esp one that requires a ticket

   I have two seats for the film tonight

4. the buttocks

5. the part of a garment covering the buttocks

6. the part or area serving as the base of an object

7. the part or surface on which the base of an object rests

8. the place or centre in which something is located

   a seat of government

9. a place of abode, esp a country mansion that is or was originally the chief residence of a family

10. a membership or the right to membership in a legislative or similar body

11. a parliamentary constituency

12. membership in a stock exchange

13. the manner in which a rider sits on a horse

14. by instinct rather than knowledge or experience

15. informal (of officials) in the office rather than on tour or on leave

    the agricultural advisor will be on seat tomorrow

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verb

1. (tr) to bring to or place on a seat; cause to sit down

2. (tr) to provide with seats

3. (tr; often passive) to place or centre

   the ministry is seated in the capital

4. (tr) to set firmly in place

5. (tr) to fix or install in a position of power

6. (tr) to put a seat on or in (an item of furniture, garment, etc)

7. (intr) (of garments) to sag in the area covering the buttocks

   your thin skirt has seated badly

seat More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing seat

• backseat driver
• catbird seat
• hot seat
• in the driver's seat
• ringside seat
• take a back seat

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Other Word Forms

• misseat verb (used with object)
• seater noun
• seatless adjective
• underseated adjective
• well-seated adjective

Etymology

Origin of seat

1150–1200; Middle English sete (noun) < Old Norse sæti

Example Sentences

The 70-year-old parts maker based in Aurora, Ontario, has 156,000 employees in dozens of countries producing everything from seat frames to vehicle software.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

But I certainly expected reliable Wi-Fi, business-class seat or no, especially when there’s a charge for it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

I can still conjure it: the heated seat warming my back, the hot chocolate coating my throat, the cinnamon strudel giving way under my teeth.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026

One million tickets beginning at $28 will be available across all sports, but ticket prices will vary depending on seat location, sport and session.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

He turned back to his seat, and we all heaved with relief.

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck

Related Words

• accommodate
• install
• locate
• lounge
• perch
• sit
• squat