sitting
/ˈsɪtɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsɪtɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsi-tiŋ/ (ame, mw) · /ˈsɪt.ɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsɪt̬.ɪŋ/ (ame, ipa)
sitting — noun
1. one of several scheduled times at which a hotel, restaurant, or ship serves a me
one of several scheduled times at which a hotel, restaurant, or ship serves a meal to a group of guests, usually because the dining space cannot hold everyone at once.
The hotel serves dinner in two sittings, one at six and one at eight.
countable: two sittings for dinner
Ayesha booked the first sitting so the children could eat early.
Guests at the resort can choose between the early or late sitting for breakfast.
The cruise ship's dining room was so full that they added a third sitting.
- service
focuses on the act of being served rather than the group of diners
文法句型
sitting + noun (first sitting, second sitting)
用法筆記
Commonly used with 'first', 'second', 'early', or 'late' to indicate which of multiple meal times a person attends.
常見錯誤
2. the time during which a person keeps a particular pose so that an artist can pai
the time during which a person keeps a particular pose so that an artist can paint them or a photographer can capture their image.
The portrait required three long sittings before the painter was satisfied.
countable: three sittings for a portrait
Nadia agreed to do a sitting for the university's graduation photo project.
During the sitting, the photographer asked Tamar to turn her head slightly toward the window.
The artist charged extra when a model needed a second sitting.
- session
broader term that can apply to any activity, not just art or photography
文法句型
have/do a sitting
give someone a sitting
用法筆記
Often used with 'give', 'do', or 'have' (e.g. 'give someone a sitting'). The word implies a formal arrangement, not a casual photo.
常見錯誤
3. an official meeting of a court, parliament, council, or committee during which m
an official meeting of a court, parliament, council, or committee during which members discuss, debate, and vote on matters.
The judge adjourned the sitting until the following Monday.
collocation: adjourn a sitting
Ramón attended the city council's morning sitting to argue against the new zoning law.
During the parliamentary sitting, members voted on the education budget.
The court's afternoon sitting was interrupted by a fire alarm.
Liang read the committee's report before the next sitting began.
文法句型
in sitting
during the sitting
用法筆記
Frequently used with formal verbs such as 'adjourn', 'convene', 'open', and 'suspend'. Common in news reports about government or legal proceedings.
常見錯誤
4. a continuous stretch during which someone stays seated while focusing on a task
a continuous stretch during which someone stays seated while focusing on a task such as reading, studying, watching, or working.
Greta read the whole novel in one sitting because she could not put it down.
collocation: in one sitting
Doctors recommend standing up and stretching after a long sitting at a computer.
Cole finished the report in a single sitting before the deadline.
My grandmother can only manage a short sitting in the garden before her back starts to hurt.
文法句型
in one sitting
at a single sitting
用法筆記
Almost always appears in phrases like 'in one sitting', 'at a single sitting', or 'after hours of sitting'. Unlike sense 3, this is used in everyday contexts, not formal ones.
常見錯誤
sitting — adjective
1. currently holding a particular official position or political office, especially
currently holding a particular official position or political office, especially in a legislative or executive body.
The sitting president will give a speech to the nation tonight.
collocation: sitting president
Voters are expected to re-elect the sitting member of parliament for a third term.
Ife challenged the sitting governor in the primary election but lost by a narrow margin.
The sitting mayor has faced criticism over the city's rising housing costs.
Journalists questioned the sitting judge about the controversial ruling.
文法句型
sitting + noun (president, member, governor)
用法筆記
Only used before a noun (attributive position). Cannot be used predicatively: 'The president is sitting' means something entirely different.
常見錯誤
2. in a fixed position that makes it easy for an opponent to hit, attack, or take a
in a fixed position that makes it easy for an opponent to hit, attack, or take advantage of you.
The goalkeeper was a sitting duck when the striker shot into the empty net.
idiomatic: sitting duck
Without any mobile reception, the hikers were sitting targets for the storm approaching.
idiomatic: sitting target
Piotr knew his argument was a sitting target after the latest study came out.
The old wooden fence left the garden a sitting target for the strong winds.
- vulnerable
broader term; 'sitting' in this sense emphasises the stillness that causes vulnerability
- defenceless
focuses on inability to protect oneself
文法句型
sitting + noun (target, duck)
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the fixed phrases 'sitting duck' or 'sitting target'. Used metaphorically for anyone or anything that is defenceless or easy to criticise.