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seat

n. · v.
US //ˈsit// UK //sˈiːt// seat
  1. 1 something to sit on (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a chair, stool, or any place where you can sit.

    a piece of furniture or a specific place designed for sitting.

    Example

    Is this seat taken, or can I sit here to eat my lunch?

    Example

    The stadium was upgraded to include more comfortable seats and better access for spectators with disabilities.
  2. 2 part of a garment (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the part of your trousers or skirt that covers your bottom.

    the part of a garment that covers the buttocks.

    Example

    He realized there was a small hole in the seat of his jeans.

    Example

    The tailor reinforced the seat of the trousers to ensure they would withstand the rigours of daily wear.

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  1. 3 a centre or location (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

    the place where a government, court, or organization is based.

    the place where a government, authority, or institution is located or has its headquarters.

    Example

    Strasbourg is the seat of the European Parliament.

    Example

    The city has served as the seat of government for over three centuries, surviving numerous political upheavals.
  2. 4 membership in a group (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Law

    an official position as a member of a group, like a parliament or a committee.

    membership or a position in a legislative or corporate body.

    Example

    She won a seat on the local council in the last election.

    Example

    The party is fighting to retain its seat in the upcoming by-election despite falling poll numbers.
  3. 5 to provide sitting space (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to have enough space for a certain number of people to sit.

    to provide sitting accommodation for a specific number of people.

    Example

    The new restaurant can seat up to fifty people at once.

    Example

    The auditorium was designed to seat three thousand guests, featuring acoustics that carry sound perfectly to the back row.
  4. 6 to show someone to a place (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to help someone find their place to sit.

    to direct or escort someone to a specific sitting place.

    Example

    The host will seat you as soon as your table is ready.

    Example

    The ushers began to seat the guests twenty minutes before the ceremony was scheduled to commence.
  5. 7 to fix in place (v.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Engineering

    to fit something firmly into a specific position.

    to fit or settle something firmly into a correct or desired position.

    Example

    Make sure the battery is properly seated before you close the cover.

    Example

    The technician ensured the valve was correctly seated to prevent any pressure leakage during the high-intensity test phase of the test.
Origin

From Middle English sete, from Old English sǣte, possibly from (or simply cognate with) Old Norse sæti (“seat”), both from Proto-Germanic sētiją (“seat”), from Proto-Indo-European sed- (“to sit”); compare Old English set (“seat”). Noun sense 2 (“location or site”) is probably derived from Old English sǣte (“house”), which is related to Old High German sāza (“sedan, seat, domicile”). Cognates * Middle Dutch gesaete * Old High German gisazi (modern German Gesäß)

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