sitting

1 of 2

noun

sit·​ting ˈsi-tiŋ 

1

a

: the act of one that sits

b

: a single occasion of continuous sitting (as for a portrait or meal)

2

a

: a brooding over eggs for hatching

b

: setting sense 6

3

: session

a sitting of the legislature

sitting

2 of 2

adjective

1

: that is setting

a sitting hen

2

: occupying a judicial, legislative, or executive seat : being in office

3

: easily hit or played

a sitting target

4

a

: used in or for sitting

a sitting position

b

: performed while sitting

a sitting shot

Examples of sitting in a Sentence

Noun

I got through the book in one sitting.

He finished the portrait in one sitting.

We'll eat at the second sitting.

We have reservations for the 5:30 sitting.

Adjective

a sitting member of Parliament

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The number of espresso shots can vary depending on how much caffeine is desired in one sitting. —Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Health, 29 Oct. 2024

The former offers up a chic sitting area next to tall arched doorways that open out to a balcony, plus a dining area that seats 10. —Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 28 Oct. 2024

Adjective

Read our piece from December 2021 on whether Trump — or a non-sitting House member — could really be the next House speaker. —Amanda Kaufman, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Jan. 2023

In Mississippi, where the sitting Republican governor is term-limited, Democratic Attorney General Jim Hood is running against Republican Lt. —Tim Craig, Washington Post, 5 Nov. 2019

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sitting

• bed-sitting room
• fence-sitting
• sitting down
• sitting duck
• (sitting) in the catbird seat
• sitting room
• sitting tenant

Kids Definition

sitting

1 of 2 noun

sit·​ting

ˈsit-iŋ

1

: an act of one that sits

especially : a single occasion of continuous sitting

finished the portrait in one sitting

2

a

: a brooding over eggs for hatching

b

: setting sense 5

3

: session sense 1

sitting of the legislature

sitting

2 of 2 adjective

: used in or for sitting

a sitting position