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 professor participated in sit-ins and was arrested alongside his students. — Barbara Spindel, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Oct. 2026

Through the years of move-ment sit-ins, walkouts, and marches, Black activists had used military dress, three-piece suits, and their Sunday best to make a case for equal citizenship. — Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026

Verb

Amazon Prime Day ends tonight, which means whatever has been sitting in your cart since Tuesday is only on sale for a few more hours. — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 7 Oct. 2026

The paper says a prototype demonstration shows the view can be extended this way, but no measurements are reported, and the only way to know if the chair convinces is to sit in it. — New Atlas, 7 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1936, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1936, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sit-in

• akin
• auxin
• buckskin
• chagrin
• crankpin
• deerskin
• foreskin
• fuchsin
• herein
• kingpin
• linchpin
• pigskin

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