sitting

[sit-ing]

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.

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.

sitting

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of sitting¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. sitting pretty, in an auspicious position.

   He's been sitting pretty since he got that new job.

Example Sentences

But the Brewers, who entered Tuesday sitting four victories away from securing a spot in the World Series for the first time since 1982, are anything but ordinary.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Sometimes a child might benefit from sitting near the teacher, having lighting adjusted or fonts enlarged or changed to a different color.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

As one might expect of such an A-list couple, the primary suite has also been outfitted with an enormous walk-in closet that could double as an additional sitting room.

Read more on MarketWatch

Rows of empty dirt lots to the left — the Tahitian — and rows of rubble still sitting to the right — their homes.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“But then again, it was just sitting out there to be taken.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• situated