sitting

[ sit-ing ]

/ ˈsɪt ɪŋ /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR sitting 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.

QUIZZES

DON’T VACILLATE! VANQUISH THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ!

It’d be a real faux pas to miss this quiz on the words from August 3–9, 2020!

Question 1 of 7

What does “vacillate” mean?

to waver in mind or opinion; be indecisive or irresolute.

to cause to be empty or unoccupied.

to assent tacitly; agree; consent.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms for 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. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for sitting

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
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
Both impart the experience of sitting with brilliant Cubans over a rum to debate the State of Cuban Intellectual Life.
Book Bag: Great Books About Cuba|Julia Cooke|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST

So I’m sitting with my daughter and all of her friends—who are 13—and she says ‘Dad, can I be honest with you?
Jamie Foxx: Get Over the Black ‘Annie’|Stereo Williams|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Mrs. Palmer alone was absent from her guests, sitting at the telephone.
The Relentless City|Edward Frederic Benson
Martha Phipps, sitting next to Galusha, stirred and uttered an impatient exclamation under her breath.
Galusha the Magnificent|Joseph C. Lincoln
It seemed heartless to be sitting down in comfort to so good a supper while her father was in she knew not how great distress.
Crooked Trails and Straight|William MacLeod Raine
When she turned round at last, she saw him sitting on the sofa, his cheeks wet with tears.
Married|August Strindberg
A stroll, too, would be pleasanter than sitting indoors, don't you think?
The Shadow of the Rope|E. W. Hornung

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

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

sitting

noun

adjective

QUIZZES

DON’T VACILLATE! VANQUISH THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ!

Idioms for sitting

Origin of sitting

Words nearby sitting

Example sentences from the Web for sitting

British Dictionary definitions for sitting

noun

adjective

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

sitting

noun

adjective

QUIZZES

DON’T VACILLATE! VANQUISH THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ!

Idioms for sitting

Origin of sitting

Words nearby sitting

Words related to sitting

Example sentences from the Web for sitting

British Dictionary definitions for sitting

noun

adjective