sit-in

1 of 2

noun

ˈsit-ˌin 

1

: sit-down sense 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

Noun

Amy Carter was a political activist who participated in sit-ins in the 1980s and 1990s and was arrested at a protest against CIA recruitment at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1986. —David Faris, Newsweek, 29 Dec. 2024

Though the sit-in was a peaceful protest, the suit says, several students were injured as a result of police intervention. —Doha Madani, NBC News, 22 Dec. 2024

Verb

For the uninitiated, the custom goes a little something like this: The bride sits in a chair with the groom kneeling on the floor before her. —Ivana Rihter, Vogue, 31 Dec. 2024

Moore was sitting in her car during her lunch break when her therapist called to give her the news. —Maya Miller, ProPublica, 31 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1936, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1936, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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