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

As the sit-ins, teach-ins and die-ins continued, however, that began to change. —Charles Homans Gabra Zackman Anna Diamond Quinton Kamara, New York Times, 29 May 2024

The protest comes after more than 50 Google employees were fired following sit-ins and protests that took place at Google office locations last month protesting Project Nimbus. —Wendy Lee, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2024

Verb

The exchange occurred as first lady Jill Biden sat in the front row of the gallery, watching intently as each juror answered their questions. —Lucien Bruggeman, ABC News, 3 June 2024

The victims, identified as Sergio Rios, 34, and Ricardo Rios, 19, were sitting in a sedan in the 1100 block of Browning Boulevard around 2 p.m. when the shooter walked up to the car and opened fire, according to police. —Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times, 2 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