English Dictionary

Definition of “sitting”

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sitting (ˈsɪtɪŋPronunciation for sitting) 

Definitions

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 

sit (sɪtPronunciation for sit) 

Definitions

verb

Word forms: sits, sitting, sat
(mainly intr)
  1. (also tr; when intr, often foll by down, in, or on) to adopt or rest in a posture in which the body is supported on the buttocks and thighs and the torso is more or less upright  ⇒ to sit on a chair sit a horse 
  2. (tr) to cause to adopt such a posture
  3. (of an animal) to adopt or rest in a posture with the hindquarters lowered to the ground
  4. (of a bird) to perch or roost
  5. (of a hen or other bird) to cover eggs to hatch them; brood
  6. to be situated or located
  7. (of the wind) to blow from the direction specified
  8. to adopt and maintain a posture for one's portrait to be painted, etc
  9. to occupy or be entitled to a seat in some official capacity, as a judge, elected representative, etc
  10. (of a deliberative body) to be convened or in session
  11. to remain inactive or unused  ⇒ his car sat in the garage for a year 
  12. to rest or lie as specified  ⇒ the nut was sitting so awkwardly that he couldn't turn it 
  13. (of a garment) to fit or hang as specified  ⇒ that dress sits well on you 
  14. to weigh, rest, or lie as specified  ⇒ greatness sits easily on him 
  15. (tr) mainly British to take (an examination)  ⇒ he's sitting his bar finals 
  16. (usually foll by for) mainly British to be a candidate (for a qualification)  ⇒ he's sitting for a BA 
  17. (intr; in combination) to look after a specified person or thing for someone else  ⇒ granny-sit 
  18. (tr) to have seating capacity for
  19. See sitting pretty
  20. See sit tight

See also

sit back , sit down , sit-in , sit on , sit out , sit over , sit under , sit up

Word Origin

Old English sittan;  related to Old Norse sitja,  Gothic sitan,  Old High German sizzen,  Latin sedēre  to sit, Sanskrit sīdati he sits

Synonyms

View thesaurus entry
= take a seat perch, settle down, be seated take a pew plant yourself park yourself plonk yourself take the weight off your feet install yourself ensconce yourself
= place, set, put, park, position, rest, lay, settle, deposit, dump, situate, plonk,
= pose, model,
= be a member of serve on have a seat on preside on
= convene, meet, assemble, officiate, be in session
= be situated stand, lie, be placed be positioned
= babysit, childmind
= hold, seat, contain, accommodate, have space for

Usage examples

  • Drawing room, dining room, sitting room, kitchen/ breakfast room, principal... more Agent: STRUTT & PARKER ST.
    Country Life (2004)
  • Mr Tony Doyle described arriving home from work that night and finding Mr Conlon sitting in the dark.
    Irish Times (2002)
  • The hall could also be used as a sitting room in its own right.
    Glasgow Herald (2001)
  • There is of course only one certain cure for seasickness - sitting under a tree!
    Rob Mundle, FATAL STORM (2001)

Commonness

All English words that begin with 'S'

Related Terms

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