sitting

[ sit-ing ]

/ ˈsɪt ɪŋ /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: sitting / sittings on Thesaurus.com

noun

the act of a person or thing that sits.

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

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

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

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

a session, as of a court or legislature.

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

adjective

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

of, for, or suited to sitting: a sitting area in the lobby.

holding an official position or office; occupying an appointed or elected seat; incumbent: a sitting pontiff.

in session or at work; active: a sitting legislature.

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about sitting

sitting pretty, in an auspicious position: He's been sitting pretty since he got that new job.

Origin of sitting

Middle English word dating back to 1175–1225; see origin at sit¹, -ing¹, -ing²

Words nearby sitting

sit spin, sittella, sitter, sit through, sit tight, sitting, Sitting Bull, sitting duck, sitting on a powder keg, sitting pretty, sitting room

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use sitting in a sentence

Although we look forward to returning to normal sittings in our Courtroom, we have been able to stay current in our work.
Chief Justice Roberts, in year-end report, thanks judiciary for performance during pandemic|Robert Barnes|December 31, 2020|Washington Post
Two sets of friends dropped off food for Thanksgiving, more than Carrie and I could ever eat in one sitting.
As a food writer with covid, I worried I’d lose my sense of taste. It turned out to be much worse.|Tim Carman|November 29, 2020|Washington Post
I could polish off half a package in one sitting, completely defying any alleged dietary benefit.
The Rise and Fall of the Rice Cake, America’s One-Time Favorite Health Snack|Brenna Houck|September 17, 2020|Eater
Pretending to eat while secretly spitting out food, editing hours of footage to appear like a single sitting and vomiting between courses were among the tricks China Central Television revealed.
Why Is China Cracking Down on Food Waste?|Daniel Malloy|September 3, 2020|Ozy

Given that the satellite can see both ground stations for 285 seconds a day, that means that the satellite could transmit roughly 34 bits of data in a sitting.
China Takes Another Step Towards Uncrackable Quantum Communication|Edd Gent|June 15, 2020|Singularity Hub
And it might be what Islamists complain about while sitting in their caves.
Why We Stand With Charlie Hebdo—And You Should Too|John Avlon|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
And there are these three or four very mean Mexicans sitting next to us.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Elle magazine shot an editorial in September, one picture revealing a teacup pig sitting pretty by a mini Tyler Alexandra bag.
Handbags: The More You Pay, The Smaller They Shrink|Elizabeth Landers|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I couldn't have imagined that I would actually be sitting with him, coincidentally at age 30, discussing the same issue.
Cuban Hip-Hop Was Born in Alamar|Daniel Levin|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A worn couch sitting squarely before a wood veneer wall, accented by the head of a deer.
#Setinthestreet: Your Street Corner Is Their Art Project|James Joiner|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It is to be feared that the attractions of the house-dinner were not the sole inducement to many of those sitting there.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
He chiefly divided his time between the House of Lords and sitting at home, lamenting over his own ill-starred existence.
Elster's Folly|Mrs. Henry Wood
In the centre of the room is an oval table; some dozen men are sitting at it; as many more stand behind their chairs.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
Outside the hotel he came upon the two sisters sitting on a bench and drinking coffee.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
We (the officers) were sitting in a circle round the general and Alcalde, both of whom appeared uneasy and anxious.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various

British Dictionary definitions for sitting

sitting

/ (ˈsɪtɪŋ) /

noun

a continuous period of being seatedI read his novel at one sitting

such a period in a restaurant, canteen, etc, where space and other facilities are limiteddinner will be served in two sittings

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

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

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

adjective

in officea sitting Member of Parliament

(of a hen) brooding eggs

seatedin a sitting position

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

sitting

Idioms about sitting

Origin of sitting

Words nearby sitting

Words related to sitting

How to use sitting in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for sitting