sit-in

1 of 2

noun

ˈsit-ˌin 

1

: sit-down sense 1

2

a

: an act of occupying seats in a racially segregated establishment in organized protest against discrimination

b

: an act of sitting in the seats or on the floor of an establishment as a means of organized protest

sit in

2 of 2

verb

sat in; sitting in; sits in

intransitive verb

1

: to take part in or be present at a session of music or discussion as a visitor

—often used with on

invited to sit in on a rehearsal

2

: to participate in a sit-in

Examples of sit-in in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The following Thursday, Mace doubled down on using the slur in another video, after trans activists including Raquel Willis and Chelsea Manning staged a bathroom sit-in protest and were arrested. —Samantha Riedel, Them, 6 Dec. 2024

Driving the news: Former soldier and U.S. Army whistleblower Chelsea Manning was among the trans rights protesters who were arrested amid a sit-in at a bathroom in Cannon House Office Building near Johnson's office, according to multiple reports. —Avery Lotz, Axios, 5 Dec. 2024

Verb

Maserati has produced many stunning cars over the years, but the MC12 sits in its own little glittery box beside its Enzo sibling. —Matthew MacConnell, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024

Among the many other photos and videos the Griselda star posted from her trip were photos of her entire group of family and friends gathered for Thanksgiving at a beachfront dining table, with cocktails and full plates of food sitting in front of them. —Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 2 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1936, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1936, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

sit-in

noun

ˈsit-ˌin

: an act of sitting in seats or on the floor (as in a restaurant or office) as a means of organized protest