sedentary
adjective
sed·en·tary
ˈse-dᵊn-ˌter-ē 
1
: not migratory : settled
sedentary birds
sedentary civilizations
2
a
: doing or requiring much sitting
a sedentary job
b
: not physically active
a sedentary lifestyle
3
: permanently attached
sedentary barnacles
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Sit and Learn About Sedentary
Sedentary comes from Latin sedēre, meaning "to sit." Other descendants of sedēre include dissident, insidious, preside, reside, and subsidy. Sedēre is also the base of the rare sedens, a noun meaning "a person who remains a resident of the place or region of his or her birth."
Examples of sedentary in a Sentence
Editing the dictionary is a sedentary job.
The work is very sedentary.
Their health problems were caused by their sedentary lifestyles.
He became sedentary later on in his life.
Recent Examples on the Web
Traditionally, risk factors for cardiovascular events have included high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.
—
Henry I Miller, Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2025
On Thursday, Feb 6, during a focus group with parents, teachers and public and private school and early childhood program representatives, the discussion zeroed in on the high levels of stress and anxiety among students, teachers and parents, as well as the sedentary lifestyle of young people.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 11 Feb. 2025
Other modifiable risk factors include: high blood pressure or hypertension, obesity, diabetes, sedentary lifestyle and cigarette smoking.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 3 Feb. 2025
Osteoporosis, a condition characterized by weak and brittle bones, becomes a significant concern for both women and men, particularly those leading sedentary lifestyles.
—Dana Santas, CNN, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for sedentary 
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Henry I Miller, Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2025
On Thursday, Feb 6, during a focus group with parents, teachers and public and private school and early childhood program representatives, the discussion zeroed in on the high levels of stress and anxiety among students, teachers and parents, as well as the sedentary lifestyle of young people.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 11 Feb. 2025
Other modifiable risk factors include: high blood pressure or hypertension, obesity, diabetes, sedentary lifestyle and cigarette smoking.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 3 Feb. 2025
Osteoporosis, a condition characterized by weak and brittle bones, becomes a significant concern for both women and men, particularly those leading sedentary lifestyles.
—Dana Santas, CNN, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for sedentary
Dictionary Entries Near sedentary
Cite this Entry
“Sedentary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sedentary. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sedentary
adjective
sed·en·tary
ˈsed-ᵊn-ˌter-ē
1
: not migratory : settled
sedentary birds
2
: doing or requiring much sitting
a sedentary job
Medical Definition
sedentary
adjective
sed·en·tary
ˈsed-ᵊn-ˌter-ē
: doing or requiring much sitting : characterized by a lack of physical activity
increased risk of heart disease for those with sedentary jobs
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