sitting

American  

[sit-ing] / ˈsɪt ɪŋ /

noun

• sittings
  plural

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.

---

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

---

adjective

1. in office

   a sitting Member of Parliament

2. (of a hen) brooding eggs

3. seated

   in a sitting position

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• sittings
  plural

Etymology

Origin of sitting

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sitting sittings

There were other times I broke down that I didn’t bring up, like when I was playing, when I got hit, sitting down at halftime.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 11, 2026

India's Supreme Court was set to hear a petition in a special sitting Sunday against the closure of Delhi metro stations and train services on Saturday.

From Barron's ● Oct. 11, 2026

Images of the so-called Taraia Object show what could be the remnants of a small aircraft sitting in shallow waters.

From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2026

Diesel supply chains often get disrupted in extreme weather, and diesel generators can be finicky if they have been sitting dormant for long periods.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026

“Drum lesson with Cat,” Harry said, sitting straight-backed as she settled herself, backpack in her lap, body centered in her space on the other end of the pickup bench.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

It’s a trim book—you can read it in a couple of sittings or on a long flight—but it’s perhaps best enjoyed in small doses, a chapter or two at a time.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026

Tilley said the portrait took about nine months to complete, with sittings typically lasting from early morning until mid-afternoon several days a week – but including long restaurant lunches with champagne.

From BBC ● Jun. 25, 2026

The first season ended in April and dropped weekly, but waiting to gulp down episodes in a couple of sittings may be more rewarding than taking it in over a couple of months.

From Salon ● Jun. 23, 2025

In addition to the physical exertion of long meditation sittings and martial arts, your teachers were constantly correcting you.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 19, 2024

Between public sittings, Leah arranged private séances, social invitations, and whatever rest time they could fit in.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Related Words

• situated