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

The museum, recently designated as a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service, was the site of historical sit-ins by the Greensboro Four, an effort during the Civil Rights Movement that sparked similar sit-ins around North Carolina. —Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 3 Feb. 2025

Those arrested have been released, said a representative for the Gender Liberation Movement, the grassroots group that organized the sit-in. —Avery Lotz, Axios, 5 Dec. 2024

Verb

Around mid-July, the two of them were talking on the phone while Jesse sat in his house in Redding. —Ariane Lange, Sacramento Bee, 26 Jan. 2025

Her parents Kathy and Kelly Caudill, of Knox, sat in the gallery to watch their daughter being sworn in. —Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 25 Jan. 2025

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