sit out

verb

sat out; sitting out; sits out

transitive verb

: to refrain from participating in
sat out every dance

Examples of sit out in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Tatum continued his impressive comeback tour by tallying 23 points on 8-of-16 shooting, 11 rebounds, nine assists and three steals before sitting out the fourth quarter with Boston in control. Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2026 Edwards was back in action after sitting out Thursday night in a 113-108 loss at Detroit due to illness. CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026 Messi participated in the first segment of Thursday’s training session but sat out the latter part. Michelle Kaufman april 3, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026 From moldy cheese to meat sitting out overnight, health inspectors in Missouri and Kansas found numerous violations at Kansas City-area restaurants in the last two weeks. Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sit out

Word History

First Known Use

1659, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sit out was in 1659

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sit out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sit%20out. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster