# sitting

/ˈsɪtɪŋ/ (US) · /sˈɪtɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sitting
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 2. a single period of activity

noun · CEFR B2

a period of time where you stay in one place to finish a task.

For teachers: a continuous period of time spent engaged in a specific activity without interruption.

- The book was so exciting that I read the whole thing in one sitting.
- The artist required three separate sittings to capture the subtle play of light on the subject's face for the portrait.

### 3. a formal meeting

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a formal meeting of a group of people like a court or a parliament.

For teachers: a formal session of a legislative body, court of law, or committee.

- The court's next sitting will take place on Monday morning.
- During the final sitting of the parliamentary session, several controversial amendments were pushed through with minimal debate.

### 4. currently in office

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal · Academic

someone who is currently holding an official position or job.

For teachers: currently holding a specified office or position; incumbent.

- It is very difficult for a challenger to defeat a sitting president.
- The sitting governor faced intense scrutiny from the press regarding the recent budgetary shortfalls in the education sector.

### 5. done while seated

adjective · CEFR B2

done or performed while you are in a chair.

For teachers: executed or performed from a seated posture.

- The doctor recommended some sitting exercises for his elderly patient.
- The yoga instructor demonstrated a sitting pose designed to stretch the hips and improve spinal alignment.

## Examples

- I finished the entire book in one sitting.
- The restaurant offers two sittings for dinner, one at six o'clock and another at eight-thirty.
- The portrait was completed after only three sittings, as the artist preferred to capture the subject's likeness while the initial inspiration remained fresh.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.