sitting

American  

[sit-ing] / ˈsɪt ɪŋ /

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.

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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.

idioms

1. sitting pretty, in an auspicious position.

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

sitting British  

/ 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

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adjective

1. in office

   a sitting Member of Parliament

2. (of a hen) brooding eggs

3. seated

   in a sitting position

Etymology

Origin of sitting

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

Example Sentences

Canada, and Mexico this summer for the largest sporting event on the planet, Italy will be sitting at home.

From The Wall Street Journal

“I used to wonder where tears come from endlessly when we are sad,” said Rai, sitting at the riverside restaurant she built on the highway to Rangpo.

From The Wall Street Journal

Also, private-equity firms are sitting on record numbers of portfolio companies they need to eventually sell or take public, including many software firms threatened by the rise of AI.

From The Wall Street Journal

Golden Gate Fields is located in the cities of Berkeley and Albany, sitting right on the Bay.

From Los Angeles Times

Everyone talks about “budgeting” — but I’ve found the real challenge is clearing the psychological hurdle to sitting down and auditing where your cash actually goes each month.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• situated