sedentary

[sed-n-ter-ee]

adjective

1. characterized by or requiring a sitting posture.

   a sedentary occupation.

2. accustomed to sit or rest a great deal or to take little exercise.

3. Chiefly Zoology.

   1. abiding in one place; not migratory.

   2. pertaining to animals that move about little or are permanently attached to something, as a barnacle.

sedentary

/ ˈsɛdəntərɪ, -trɪ /

adjective

1. characterized by or requiring a sitting position

   sedentary work

2. tending to sit about without taking much exercise

3. (of animals) moving about very little, usually because of attachment to a rock or other surface

4. (of animals) not migratory

Other Word Forms

• sedentariness noun
• sedentarily adjective
• nonsedentarily adverb
• nonsedentariness noun
• nonsedentary adjective
• presedentary adjective
• unsedentary adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sedentary¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin sedentārius “sitting,” equivalent to sedent- (stem of sedēns, present participle of sedēre “to sit ¹ ”; -ent ) + -ārius -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of sedentary¹

C16: from Latin sedentārius, from sedēre to sit

Example Sentences

For those who are largely sedentary, trying to walk 10,000 steps on day one may not be practical.

From Los Angeles Times

The study was novel in that it categorized how people divided their days into three behaviors: sleep, sedentary and active.

From Los Angeles Times

The fat around the tummy caused by these calorific foods combined with a sedentary lifestyle is also linked to high blood pressure, in addition to inflammation of the blood vessels and diabetes.

From Salon

“We know that there are more Americans now that have sedentary jobs than ever in the past,” Volpe says.

From Los Angeles Times

Girls who lived in neighborhoods designed to support physical activity were less likely to be sedentary.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• inactive