sitting: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral (used across formal, informal, and technical contexts)
Quick answer
What does “sitting” mean?
The act of resting with the body supported by the buttocks and thighs, typically on a chair or other surface.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of resting with the body supported by the buttocks and thighs, typically on a chair or other surface.
A continuous period of being seated for a specific purpose (e.g., a meeting, meal, portrait session); a scheduled meeting or session of an official body; the incubation of eggs by a bird; a period when a model poses for an artist.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. 'Sitting room' (UK) is roughly equivalent to 'living room' (US), though 'living room' is also common in UK. 'Sitting' for a meal service (e.g., 'the second sitting') is used in both.
Connotations
Largely identical. The noun form relating to official meetings (e.g., parliamentary sitting) is slightly more formal/common in UK contexts.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “sitting” in a Sentence
[be] sitting [prepositional phrase] (He was sitting on the floor)[have] a sitting (We have a sitting at 7 pm)[adj] sitting (the sitting MP)[during] a sitting (Discussed during the sitting)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sitting” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She is sitting her A-levels this summer.
- The committee will be sitting tomorrow.
American English
- He is sitting for the bar exam next week.
- The court is sitting to hear the case.
adverb
British English
- (Rare as a pure adverb; typically part of phrasal verbs or participles)
American English
- (Rare as a pure adverb; typically part of phrasal verbs or participles)
adjective
British English
- The sitting tenant has certain rights.
- Let's meet in the sitting room.
American English
- The sitting president gave a speech.
- We relaxed in the living room.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to scheduled meetings or negotiation rounds (e.g., 'The board will reconvene in the afternoon sitting.').
Academic
Used for examination periods or viva voce sessions (e.g., 'The doctoral defence lasted a single sitting.').
Everyday
Common for describing posture, meal times, or informal gatherings (e.g., 'We had a long sitting chatting over coffee.').
Technical
In ornithology: the period a bird incubates eggs. In art: a scheduled pose by a model.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sitting”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sitting”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sitting”
- Using 'sitting' redundantly with 'down' (e.g., 'He was sitting down on the chair' – 'sitting' is sufficient).
- Confusing 'sitting' (event) with 'seat' (object).
- Misspelling as 'siting' (which relates to location).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be both. As a noun, it means a session or period of being seated. As a verb, it is the present participle/gerund of 'sit'.
'Sitting' refers to the act or period of being seated. 'Seating' refers to the arrangement or provision of seats (e.g., theatre seating) or the action of placing someone in a seat.
Yes, e.g., 'the sitting president' (currently in office), 'sitting room' (a room for relaxed sitting).
It means completing an activity in a single, continuous period without stopping, e.g., 'She ate the whole pizza at one sitting.'
The act of resting with the body supported by the buttocks and thighs, typically on a chair or other surface.
Sitting is usually neutral (used across formal, informal, and technical contexts) in register.
Sitting: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɪtɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɪt̬ɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “sitting duck”
- “sitting pretty”
- “at one sitting”
- “sitting on the fence”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SIT + TING (like a bell) → Imagine the bell ringing to start a formal 'sitting' of parliament.
Conceptual Metaphor
SITTING IS STASIS / SITTING IS A CONTAINER (e.g., 'in one sitting' frames an activity within a bounded time period).
Practice
Quiz
In which context does 'sitting' specifically refer to a bird's behaviour?