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; see origin at sit ¹, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

Bombardier is currently sitting on a total order backlog of $17.5 billion across both commercial and defense, underscoring that demand remains strong even though deliveries can’t be increased as fast as Martel would like.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

He stayed down for several seconds before sitting up and putting his hands on his face.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

But that $1 million sitting in a savings account could risk getting slowly eaten by inflation, in the same way that moths chew away at your favorite suit in your closet.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026

"If this goes on for another two or four months then our entire business will be finished," he said, sitting at the counter of his small jewellery kiosk.

From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026

I find Nate sitting at the end of the dock, his legs dangling over the water.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Related Words

• situated