seat

[seet]

noun

1. something designed to support a person in a sitting position, as a chair, bench, or pew; a place on or in which one sits.

   Synonyms: stool, throne

2. the part of a chair, sofa, or the like, on which one sits.

3. the part of the body on which one sits; the buttocks.

   Synonyms: fundament, bottom

4. the part of the garment covering it.

   the seat of one's pants.

5. a manner of or posture used in sitting, as on a horse.

6. something on which the base of an object rests.

7. the base itself.

8. a place in which something belongs, occurs, or is established; site; location.

9. a place in which administrative power or the like is centered.

   the seat of the government.

10. a part of the body considered as the place in which an emotion or function is centered.

    The heart is the seat of passion.

11. the office or authority of a king, bishop, etc..

    the episcopal seat.

12. a space in which a spectator or patron may sit; accommodation for sitting, as in a theater or stadium.

13. right of admittance to such a space, especially as indicated by a ticket.

14. a right to sit as a member in a legislative or similar body.

    to hold a seat in the senate.

15. a right to the privileges of membership in a stock exchange or the like.

verb (used with object)

1. to place on a seat or seats; cause to sit down.

2. to usher to a seat or find a seat for.

   to be seated in the front row.

3. to have seats for; accommodate with seats.

   a theater that seats 1200 people.

4. to put a seat on or into (a chair, garment, etc.).

5. to install in a position or office of authority, in a legislative body, etc.

6. to fit (a valve) with a seat.

7. to attach to or place firmly in or on something as a base.

   Seat the telescope on the tripod.

verb (used without object)

1. (of a cap, valve, etc.) to be closed or in proper position.

   Be sure that the cap of the dipstick seats.

seat

/ siːt /

noun

1. a piece of furniture designed for sitting on, such as a chair or sofa

2. the part of a chair, bench, etc, on which one sits

3. a place to sit, esp one that requires a ticket

   I have two seats for the film tonight

4. the buttocks

5. the part of a garment covering the buttocks

6. the part or area serving as the base of an object

7. the part or surface on which the base of an object rests

8. the place or centre in which something is located

   a seat of government

9. a place of abode, esp a country mansion that is or was originally the chief residence of a family

10. a membership or the right to membership in a legislative or similar body

11. a parliamentary constituency

12. membership in a stock exchange

13. the manner in which a rider sits on a horse

14. by instinct rather than knowledge or experience

15. informal,  (of officials) in the office rather than on tour or on leave

    the agricultural advisor will be on seat tomorrow

verb

1. (tr) to bring to or place on a seat; cause to sit down

2. (tr) to provide with seats

3. (tr; often passive) to place or centre

   the ministry is seated in the capital

4. (tr) to set firmly in place

5. (tr) to fix or install in a position of power

6. (tr) to put a seat on or in (an item of furniture, garment, etc)

7. (intr) (of garments) to sag in the area covering the buttocks

   your thin skirt has seated badly

Other Word Forms

• seatless adjective
• seater noun
• misseat verb (used with object)
• underseated adjective
• well-seated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of seat¹

1150–1200; Middle English sete (noun) < Old Norse sæti

Word History and Origins

Origin of seat¹

Old English gesete; related to Old Norse sæti, Old High German gasāzi, Middle Dutch gesaete

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. by the seat of one's pants, using experience, instinct, or guesswork.

More idioms and phrases containing seat

• backseat driver
• catbird seat
• hot seat
• in the driver's seat
• ringside seat
• take a back seat

Example Sentences

As the news blared out across the cafes and bars of the National Exhibition Centre, party members rushed to take their seats.

From BBC

One group opposed to devolution, the Abolish the Assembly party, failed to win any seats at the last election.

From BBC

He was Scotland's only remaining Labour MP in 2015 after Labour lost 40 of its 41 seats in an SNP general election landslide.

From BBC

One day, I came to the dining room of my gracious place, and seated across from me was a woman who immediately struck me.

From Los Angeles Times

At the reception, Prince Juan Carlos of Spain and Princess Sophia of Greece found themselves seated next to each other.

From BBC

Related Words

• accommodate 
• install 
• locate 
• lounge 
• perch 
• sit 
• squat