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.

---

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

---

Other Word Forms

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

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 ”; see -ent) + -ārius -ary

Explanation

Scientists believe that one of the causes of the obesity epidemic sweeping the U.S. is our sedentary lifestyle. Sedentary means sitting a lot and refers to a person or job that is not very physically active. If you have a sedentary job, you might want to stand up and stretch every hour or so, and if your doctor says that you are too sedentary, she means that it would be healthier for you to exercise more. This adjective has a specialized meaning when referring to certain types of birds that stay in one area and do not migrate. Sedentary comes into English from French sédentaire, which is derived from the Latin word sedēre, "to sit."

Example Sentences

“He does shoot baskets but cannot play basketball. He cannot play soccer and football like he used to. He is essentially sedentary and moves around as best he can,” the surgeon said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 2, 2026

Lead researcher Keith Diaz told BBC News that most adults now spend three-quarters of their waking day sedentary.

From BBC • Jun. 23, 2026

A largely sedentary and inflexible creature, dependent on eucalyptus leaves for much of their water, koalas quickly develop dehydration when hotter conditions persist.

From Barron's • May 26, 2026

The rise has been fueled by urbanization, less healthy diets, more sedentary lifestyles, reduced physical activity, population aging, and increasing rates of overweight and obesity.

From Science Daily • May 19, 2026

Pottery’s northward spread followed the northward spread of deciduous forest rich in nuts, suggesting that the food explosion was what permitted sedentary living and the pottery explosion.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

Related Words

• inactive