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

In front of them, sitting behind lone striker Thierry Henry, was Freddie Ljungberg.

From BBC • May 28, 2026

The thrill of watching someone pay for something that’s been sitting in your closet for months is unmatched.

From MarketWatch • May 28, 2026

On her fourth morning in the hospital, Waldorf was sitting on the toilet when she felt something heavy fall.

From Salon • May 27, 2026

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, sitting next to Trump, said there had been "some progress and some interest" in the talks with Iran.

From Barron's • May 27, 2026

The two of us would spend long hours sitting there beside Marlene, out in some barn or shed, as she munched her hay or straw—whatever we had found for her.

From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo

Related Words

• situated