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
Did you know?
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
Here’s what Chowdhury suggests: Remain active, and avoid a sedentary lifestyle.
—
Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2025
Genetics are a factor, but environmental exposures, dietary changes, obesity, and sedentary lifestyle could all contribute to this complicated disease.
—Team Verywell Health, Verywell Health, 13 Mar. 2025
Factors like chronic stress, a sedentary lifestyle, and insufficient sleep can accelerate this process.
—Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 13 Mar. 2025
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form and is often associated with excess weight, age (typically over 35), a family history of the disease, or a sedentary lifestyle.
—Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sedentary
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2025
Genetics are a factor, but environmental exposures, dietary changes, obesity, and sedentary lifestyle could all contribute to this complicated disease.
—Team Verywell Health, Verywell Health, 13 Mar. 2025
Factors like chronic stress, a sedentary lifestyle, and insufficient sleep can accelerate this process.
—Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 13 Mar. 2025
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form and is often associated with excess weight, age (typically over 35), a family history of the disease, or a sedentary lifestyle.
—Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sedentary
Cite this Entry
“Sedentary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sedentary. Accessed 14 Apr. 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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