sitting

American  

[sit-ing] / ˈsɪt ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that sits.

2. a period of remaining seated, as in posing for a portrait or reading a book.

3. the space on or in which one sits, as in a church.

4. a brooding, as of a hen upon eggs; incubation.

5. the number of eggs on which a bird sits during a single hatching; clutch.

6. a session, as of a court or legislature.

7. the time or space allotted to the serving of a meal to a group, as aboard a ship.

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adjective

1. (of a bird) occupying a nest of eggs for hatching.

2. of, for, or suited to sitting.

   a sitting area in the lobby.

3. holding an official position or office; occupying an appointed or elected seat; incumbent.

   a sitting pontiff.

4. in session or at work; active.

   a sitting legislature.

idioms

1. sitting pretty, in an auspicious position.

   He's been sitting pretty since he got that new job.

sitting British  

/ ˈsɪtɪŋ /

noun

1. a continuous period of being seated

   I read his novel at one sitting

2. such a period in a restaurant, canteen, etc, where space and other facilities are limited

   dinner will be served in two sittings

3. the act or period of posing for one's portrait to be painted, carved, etc

4. a meeting, esp of an official body, to conduct business

5. the incubation period of a bird's eggs during which the mother sits on them to keep them warm

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adjective

1. in office

   a sitting Member of Parliament

2. (of a hen) brooding eggs

3. seated

   in a sitting position

Etymology

Origin of sitting

Middle English word dating back to 1175–1225; see origin at sit ¹, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

Sitting in the center of the room, personally overseeing the tryouts, Wembanyama conducted a series of unusually loud job interviews—listening to chants, gauging volume and pressure-testing die-hard levels.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

Sitting atop the RCA Building, today better known as 30 Rock, the ironworkers were not as free-flying as they seem: The author suggests there would have been planks about 12 feet below.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

"Young Reble," she says, laughing softly, "was always by herself. No friends. Sitting in one corner. Everybody was like, who's that weird girl?"

From BBC • May 15, 2026

Sitting on panel were beloved KT guests Harland Williams and Gabriel Iglesias, and the “legends bucket” made its way to its first arena in L.A., and the pulls were indeed clutch.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026

Sitting here, I feel something I rarely ever felt at the Ranch.

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy

Related Words

• situated