seat
Americannoun
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something designed to support a person in a sitting position, as a chair, bench, or pew; a place on or in which one sits.
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the part of a chair, sofa, or the like, on which one sits.
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the part of the body on which one sits; the buttocks.
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the part of the garment covering it.
the seat of one's pants.
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a manner of or posture used in sitting, as on a horse.
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something on which the base of an object rests.
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the base itself.
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a place in which something belongs, occurs, or is established; site; location.
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a place in which administrative power or the like is centered.
the seat of the government.
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a part of the body considered as the place in which an emotion or function is centered.
The heart is the seat of passion.
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the office or authority of a king, bishop, etc..
the episcopal seat.
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a space in which a spectator or patron may sit; accommodation for sitting, as in a theater or stadium.
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right of admittance to such a space, especially as indicated by a ticket.
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a right to sit as a member in a legislative or similar body.
to hold a seat in the senate.
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a right to the privileges of membership in a stock exchange or the like.
verb (used with object)
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to place on a seat or seats; cause to sit down.
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to usher to a seat or find a seat for.
to be seated in the front row.
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to have seats for; accommodate with seats.
a theater that seats 1200 people.
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to put a seat on or into (a chair, garment, etc.).
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to install in a position or office of authority, in a legislative body, etc.
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to fit (a valve) with a seat.
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to attach to or place firmly in or on something as a base.
Seat the telescope on the tripod.
verb (used without object)
idioms
noun
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a piece of furniture designed for sitting on, such as a chair or sofa
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the part of a chair, bench, etc, on which one sits
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a place to sit, esp one that requires a ticket
I have two seats for the film tonight
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the buttocks
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the part of a garment covering the buttocks
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the part or area serving as the base of an object
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the part or surface on which the base of an object rests
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the place or centre in which something is located
a seat of government
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a place of abode, esp a country mansion that is or was originally the chief residence of a family
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a membership or the right to membership in a legislative or similar body
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a parliamentary constituency
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membership in a stock exchange
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the manner in which a rider sits on a horse
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by instinct rather than knowledge or experience
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informal (of officials) in the office rather than on tour or on leave
the agricultural advisor will be on seat tomorrow
verb
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(tr) to bring to or place on a seat; cause to sit down
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(tr) to provide with seats
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(tr; often passive) to place or centre
the ministry is seated in the capital
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(tr) to set firmly in place
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(tr) to fix or install in a position of power
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(tr) to put a seat on or in (an item of furniture, garment, etc)
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(intr) (of garments) to sag in the area covering the buttocks
your thin skirt has seated badly
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of seat
1150–1200; Middle English sete (noun) < Old Norse sæti
Explanation
Something you can sit on, especially if it's a bench, stool, sofa, or chair, is a seat. Most bicycles have one seat, while many motorcycles have two seats. If your teacher invites you to "Take a seat," he means "Find a chair and sit in it." There are seats in cars and airplanes, around tables, in restaurants, and in movie theaters. As a verb, seat means "help someone find a place to sit," the way an usher seats audience members at a concert. Some people also use seat to mean "bottom" or "buttocks," or the section of your pants that covers this body part.
Vocabulary lists containing seat
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“I’ve been lucky enough to have a front-row seat to good ownership in my career, and I know the best teams prioritize culture,” Kelce said.
From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026
John Cornyn probably never had a chance to keep his seat.
From Salon • May 27, 2026
Airline rules have slight differences in their advice to passengers on the issue, but generally ask that portable chargers be kept in a bag under the seat rather than in overhead compartments.
From BBC • May 25, 2026
"Emotions take a back seat," he said, his eyes bloodshot after having worked with his colleagues throughout the night.
From Barron's • May 25, 2026
I shielded my eyes against the sun as I greeted Mr. Wong, perched on the wagon seat, reins in hand.
From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
