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; sit ¹, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

The video then cut to Styles on stage, sitting at a piano wearing a sparkly open vest and matching trousers.

From BBC

"It's been a fun year so it's disappointing to be sitting here with the season over."

From BBC

The bathroom also doubles as a sitting room, with the shower and toilet moved to a separate area to allow lounging space in the room.

From MarketWatch

Why are we sitting in movie theaters after the lights go up, googling “Does ‘Hamnet’ have an end credits scene”?

From Salon

“I remember just sitting there thinking, wow, he’s right,” Gessner said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• situated