: a conditioning exercise performed from a supine position by raising the torso to a sitting position and returning to the original position without using the arms or lifting the feet
sat up; sitting up; sits up
1
a
: to rise from a lying to a sitting position
b
: to sit with the back erect
2
: to show interest, alertness, or surprise
sit up and take notice
3
: to stay up after the usual time for going to bed
Examples of sit-up in a Sentence
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Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
During sit-ups, engage your core and complete reps slowly and with control.
—Jakob Roze, Health, 22 Oct. 2024
Graham Ruthven, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
There’s just as much focus on the cozy kitchen scene of a random family watching the broadcast, the eldest teenage daughter sitting up close, glued to the screen.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sit-up 
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Noun
The British Heart Foundation has a 10-minute workout from their physical activity specialist Lisa Young that consists of sit-ups, squats, jumping jacks, punches and high knees.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
During sit-ups, engage your core and complete reps slowly and with control.
—Jakob Roze, Health, 22 Oct. 2024
Verb
Indeed, Tottenham Hotspur’s thumping of Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium was a result that made plenty around English soccer sit up and take note.
—Graham Ruthven, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
There’s just as much focus on the cozy kitchen scene of a random family watching the broadcast, the eldest teenage daughter sitting up close, glued to the screen.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sit-up
Dictionary Entries Near sit-up
Cite this Entry
“Sit-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sit-up. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
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