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

The carrier is not a sitting duck “but a moving duck with the ability to defend itself.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026

David Davies was sitting at his desk in Pantglas School when the tip collapsed.

From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026

“We’re sitting at the beach, and my dad asked me how much I weighed, and I was so mad about it,” Freid remembers.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 1, 2026

Technology ministers from EU members France, Italy and Germany were sitting in the room -- as well as EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen.

From Barron's ● Sep. 1, 2026

There are still a few people sitting at the picnic tables under the awning, but the barstools in front of the counter are empty.

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

The founder of Dimensional Fund Advisors has written a relaxed and friendly book anyone can read in a few sittings.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026

She said there were MPs willing to take the same bill on during the next session should they be successful in the private members' bill ballot, which can guarantee debating time on Friday sittings.

From BBC ● Apr. 23, 2026

Runcie, a former arts columnist for the Daily Telegraph, has created something so delightfully snackable that you may, as I did, gulp it down in two or three sittings.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 7, 2025

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

Seventeen-year-old Kate Fox was the main attraction in a group of mediums hired to give free sittings at set hours.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Related Words

• situated