sit-in

1 of 2

noun

1
2
a
: an act of occupying seats in a racially segregated establishment in organized protest against discrimination
b
: an act of sitting in the seats or on the floor of an establishment as a means of organized protest

sit in

2 of 2

verb

sat in; sitting in; sits in

intransitive verb

1
: to take part in or be present at a session of music or discussion as a visitor
often used with on
invited to sit in on a rehearsal
2
: to participate in a sit-in

Examples of sit-in 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.
Noun
Thursday's developments came hours after dozens of protesters calling for Khalil's release were arrested at a sit-in at Trump Tower in New York City. Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 14 Mar. 2025 Six months prior to his arrival in Greensboro, four Black students from North Carolina A&T refused to leave the whites-only Woolworth lunch counter, launching a sit-in movement that soon drew national attention. Christopher A. Cooper, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
Three small bedrooms sit in a line off a long hall that leads from the front door, followed by the bathroom, kitchen, and, at the front of the apartment, a large living room or dining room and, beyond a set of French doors, what could be a den, an office, or another bedroom. Kim Velsey, Curbed, 4 Mar. 2025 The justices and Cabinet officials sit in the first row. Javier Zarracina, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sit-in

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1936, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1936, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sit-in was in 1936

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sit-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sit-in. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

sit-in

noun
ˈsit-ˌin
: an act of sitting in seats or on the floor (as in a restaurant or office) as a means of organized protest

More from Merriam-Webster on sit-in

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