First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1sit
verb \ˈsit\
: to be in a position in which your bottom is resting on a chair, the ground, etc., especially with your back upright
: to begin to sit : to put yourself in a sitting position
: to cause (someone) to be seated : to put (someone) in a sitting position
sat \ˈsat\ sit·ting
Full Definition of SIT
intransitive verb
2
: to occupy a place as a member of an official body <sit in Congress>
3
: to hold a session : be in session for official business
4
: to cover eggs for hatching : brood
5
a : to take a position for having one's portrait painted or for being photographed b : to serve as a model
6
archaic : to have one's dwelling place : dwell
7
a : to lie or hang relative to a wearer <the collar sits awkwardly> b : to affect one with or as if with weight <the food sat heavily on his stomach>
9
a : to have a location <the house sits well back from the road> b of wind : to blow from a certain direction
10
: to remain inactive or quiescent <the car sits in the garage>
11
: to take an examination
12
: babysit
13
: to please or agree with one —used with with and an adverb <the decision did not sit well with me>
transitive verb
1
: to cause to be seated : place on or in a seat —often used with down
2
: to sit on (eggs)
3
: to keep one's seat on <sit a horse>
4
: to provide seats or seating room for
— sit on
— sit on one's hands
1
: to withhold applause : fail to show approval or enthusiasm
2
: to fail to take expected or appropriate action
— sit pretty
: to be in a highly favorable situation
— sit tight
1
: to maintain one's position without change
2
: to remain quiet in or as if in hiding
— sit under
: to attend religious service under the instruction or ministrations of; also : to attend the classes or lectures of
See sit defined for English-language learners
See sit defined for kids
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Origin of SIT
Middle English sitten, from Old English sittan; akin to Old High German sizzen to sit, Latin sedēre, Greek hezesthai to sit, hedra seat
Related to SIT
- Synonyms
- set [chiefly dialect]
2sit
noun
Definition of SIT
1
: the manner in which a garment fits
2
: an act or period of sitting
First Known Use of SIT
1776
SIT Defined for Kids
sit
verb \ˈsit\
sat \ˈsat\sit·ting
Definition of SIT for Kids
1
: to rest upon the part of the body where the hips and legs join : to rest on the buttocks or hindquarters <We sat and waited on a bench.> <The dog sat by the fire.>
2
: to put the buttocks down on a surface <I sat down to write a letter.>
3
: to cause to be seated <He sat the baby in the chair.>
4
: 2perch <The bird sat on a branch.>
5
: to be located or stay in a place or position <A vase sits on the table.>
6
: to provide seats for <The car sits five.>
7
: to hold a place as a member of an official group <She was elected to sit in Congress.>
8
: to hold a session <The court sat last month.>
9
: to pose for a portrait or photograph
10
: babysit
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