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

In Greensboro, North Carolina, four HBCU students famously spearheaded the nationwide sit-in movement in 1960, which led to widespread desegregation of stores in the South. —Briana Stewart, ABC News, 22 June 2024

In the face of the escalating racial aggression, Dr. Hayling and other Black leaders reached out for help from Dr. Martin Luther King and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Dr. King and SCLC arrived in the spring of 1964 and organized more and bigger marches and sit-ins. —Mark Dorosin, Orlando Sentinel, 21 June 2024

Verb

The entertainment turns out to be a lo-fi puppet show, which Sam suffers in silence with her service cat Frodo sitting in her lap. —Damon Wise, Deadline, 27 June 2024

On Sunday, June 23, Wahlberg, 53, shared snaps of himself visiting his daughter Ella Rae, 20, at college — including a photo of himself taking part in the relatable dad moment of patiently sitting in a chair at a clothing store. —Gabrielle Rockson, Peoplemag, 27 June 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