sitting

[ sit-ing ]

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that sits.
2. a period of remaining seated, as in posing for a portrait or reading a book.
3. the space on or in which one sits, as in a church.
4. a brooding, as of a hen upon eggs; incubation.
5. the number of eggs on which a bird sits during a single hatching; clutch.
6. a session, as of a court or legislature.
7. the time or space allotted to the serving of a meal to a group, as aboard a ship.

adjective

1. (of a bird) occupying a nest of eggs for hatching.
2. of, for, or suited to sitting:

   a sitting area in the lobby.

3. holding an official position or office; occupying an appointed or elected seat; incumbent:

   a sitting pontiff.

4. in session or at work; active:

   a sitting legislature.

sitting

/ ˈsɪtɪŋ /

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of sitting¹

Middle English word dating back to 1175–1225; sit ¹, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. sitting pretty, in an auspicious position:

   He's been sitting pretty since he got that new job.

Example Sentences

Elle Edwards was sitting on a raised flower bed outside the Lighthouse pub in Wallasey Village, Wirral, on 24 December 2022, when she was struck by two stray sub-machine gun bullets.

From BBC

Salah was sitting at her feet holding a glass of water and a tablet, looking "nervous and panicky", she says.

From BBC

It’s just a new era, stuff you never dreamed you’d be sitting here doing an interview about, but this is where we are.”

From Los Angeles Times

She remembers sitting at the kitchen table doing her homework when her mom fell and Rigelhaupt didn’t respond the way her mom thought she should.

From Los Angeles Times

Officials said the department’s bomb squad and crime lab teams showed up around 9 a.m., and focused their attention on the unattended bag sitting next to a large blue cooler on top of a bench in front of the building.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• situated