sedentary
adjective
sed·en·tary
ˈse-dᵊn-ˌter-ē 
1
: not migratory : settled
sedentary birds
sedentary civilizations
2
a
: doing or requiring much sitting
a sedentary job
b
: not physically active
a sedentary lifestyle
3
: permanently attached
sedentary barnacles
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Sit and Learn About Sedentary
Sedentary comes from Latin sedēre, meaning "to sit." Other descendants of sedēre include dissident, insidious, preside, reside, and subsidy. Sedēre is also the base of the rare sedens, a noun meaning "a person who remains a resident of the place or region of his or her birth."
Examples of sedentary in a Sentence
Editing the dictionary is a sedentary job.
The work is very sedentary.
Their health problems were caused by their sedentary lifestyles.
He became sedentary later on in his life.
Recent Examples on the Web
In addition to advancing age and diets low in protein, other risk factors for osteoporosis include low calcium and vitamin D intake, hormone changes, a sedentary lifestyle, and certain health conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis).
—
Jonathan Purtell, Verywell Health, 13 June 2025
People also have more sedentary lifestyles that can lead to higher chances of overweight and obesity in the U.S. and other areas in the world.1214
What Factors Influence Your Weight?
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 9 June 2025
The study found replacing just 30 minutes of sedentary time with 30 minutes of light-intensity physical activity could lower the risk of having another cardiovascular event or dying by 50%.
—American Heart Association News, Boston Herald, 1 June 2025
Prior evidence was based on comparing active people with sedentary people, a type of study that can’t prove cause and effect.
—Carla K. Johnson, Denver Post, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sedentary
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Jonathan Purtell, Verywell Health, 13 June 2025
People also have more sedentary lifestyles that can lead to higher chances of overweight and obesity in the U.S. and other areas in the world.1214
What Factors Influence Your Weight?
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 9 June 2025
The study found replacing just 30 minutes of sedentary time with 30 minutes of light-intensity physical activity could lower the risk of having another cardiovascular event or dying by 50%.
—American Heart Association News, Boston Herald, 1 June 2025
Prior evidence was based on comparing active people with sedentary people, a type of study that can’t prove cause and effect.
—Carla K. Johnson, Denver Post, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sedentary
Cite this Entry
“Sedentary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sedentary. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sedentary
adjective
sed·en·tary
ˈsed-ᵊn-ˌter-ē
1
: not migratory : settled
sedentary birds
2
: doing or requiring much sitting
a sedentary job
Medical Definition
sedentary
adjective
sed·en·tary
ˈsed-ᵊn-ˌter-ē
: doing or requiring much sitting : characterized by a lack of physical activity
increased risk of heart disease for those with sedentary jobs
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