Sitting vs. Seating: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on October 20, 2023
Sitting vs. Seating: "Sitting" refers to the act of being in a seated position, while "Seating" relates to the arrangement or provision of places to sit.
Key Differences
"Sitting" often pertains to the act or position of someone who sits. For example, someone might be sitting on a bench. On the other hand, "Seating" usually implies the arrangement or provision of chairs or other places where people can sit. A theater, for instance, has seating for 300 people.
When discussing "Sitting," we might be referencing someone's posture or the duration they remain in a seated position. For example, prolonged sitting can be detrimental to one's health. Contrarily, "Seating" may refer to the design or layout of chairs in a particular venue or vehicle. The seating in a cinema is designed for optimal viewing.
"Sitting" can also be used in a broader sense, denoting a continuous session of an assembly or court. For instance, the morning sitting of the court begins at 10 am. Conversely, "Seating" could mean the act of guiding or placing someone in a seat. The usher is responsible for seating the guests.
The word "Sitting" can be employed in various contexts, like a "sitting room" – a room designed for relaxation and entertainment. "Seating," in another dimension, might also highlight the capacity of a venue. A restaurant's seating capacity tells you how many patrons it can accommodate at once.
"Sitting" might even refer to a period during which someone poses for a portrait or photograph. The artist might need multiple sittings to finish a portrait. On the flip side, "Seating" can indicate the materials used for making seats. The seating in luxury cars is often made of fine leather.
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Act of being seated
Arrangement or provision of places to sit
Usage Context
Posture, duration, sessions
Design, layout, capacity
Grammatical Role
Often used as a noun, sometimes a verb
Primarily used as a noun
Associated Phrases
"sitting room," "sitting duck"
"seating capacity," "seating arrangement"
Material Reference
Not typically related to materials
Can refer to the materials used for seats
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Sitting and Seating Definitions
Sitting
The act of being in a seated position.
She's been sitting there for hours.
Seating
Materials used to create seats.
The car boasts leather seating.
Sitting
A continuous session of a court or assembly.
The afternoon sitting was postponed.
Seating
The arrangement or provision of chairs or places to sit.
The theater offers balcony seating.
Sitting
The act or position of one that sits.
Seating
The act of guiding or placing someone in a seat.
The hostess is in charge of seating the guests.
Sitting
A period during which one is seated and occupied with a single activity, such as posing for a portrait or reading a book.
Seating
The number of people that a venue can accommodate.
The restaurant has a seating capacity of 50.
Sitting
A session or term, as of a legislature or court.
Seating
The design or layout of seats in a venue.
The seating in the auditorium is tiered for better visibility.
Sitting
An act, condition, or period of brooding on eggs by a bird; incubation.
Seating
The act of providing or furnishing with a seat or seats.
Sitting
The number of eggs under a brooding bird; a clutch.
Seating
The seats so provided or furnished
Seating for 500.
Sitting
Incubating a nest of eggs
A sitting hen.
Seating
The arrangement of seats in a room, auditorium, or banquet hall
A theater that offers semicircular seating.
Sitting
Occupying an official position; incumbent.
Seating
The member or part on or within which another part is seated.
Sitting
Of or for sitting
A sitting posture.
A sitting area in a bus station.
Seating
Material for upholstering seats.
Sitting
Done or executed while sitting.
Seating
Present participle of seat
Sitting
A period during which one is seated for a specific purpose.
Due to the sheer volume of guests, we had to have two sittings for the meal.
The Queen had three sittings for her portrait.
Seating
(gerund) The act of one that seats.
The seating of passengers will begin soon.
Sitting
A seance or other session with a medium or fortuneteller.
Seating
(uncountable) The provision of chairs or other places for people to sit.
There is plenty of comfortable seating.
Sitting
A special seat allotted to a seat-holder, at church, etc.
Seating
(countable) A period of time in which people are allowed into a performance, a meal, etc., to be seated.
The first seating begins at 5 o'clock.
Sitting
The part of the year in which judicial business is transacted.
Seating
Material for making seats.
Cane seating
Sitting
A legislative session (in the sense of "meeting", not "period").
Seating
(obsolete) Haircloth.
Sitting
The incubation of eggs by a bird.
Seating
(mechanics) Collectively, the various fitted supports of the parts of a structure or of a machine; a housing in which a component is seated.
Sitting
A clutch of eggs laid by a brooding bird.
We have thirty-four chicks from eight sittings of eggs
Seating
(shipbuilding) That part of the floor which rests on the keel.
Sitting
Uninterrupted application to anything for a time; the period during which one continues at anything.
Seating
The act of providing with a seat or seats; as, the seating of an audience.
Sitting
Present participle of sit
Seating
The act of making seats; also, the material for making seats; as, cane seating.
Sitting
Executed from a sitting position.
Seating
An area that includes seats for several people;
There is seating for 40 students in this classroom
Sitting
Occupying a specific official or legal position; incumbent.
Seating
The service of ushering people to their seats
Sitting
Being in the state, or the position, of one who, or that which, sits.
Sitting
The state or act of one who sits; the posture of one who occupies a seat.
Sitting
A seat, or the space occupied by or allotted for a person, in a church, theater, etc.; as, the hall has 800 sittings.
Sitting
The act or time of sitting, as to a portrait painter, photographer, etc.
Sitting
The actual presence or meeting of any body of men in their seats, clothed with authority to transact business; a session; as, a sitting of the judges of the King's Bench, or of a commission.
The sitting closed in great agitation.
Sitting
The time during which one sits while doing something, as reading a book, playing a game, etc.
For the understanding of any one of St. Paul's Epistles I read it all through at one sitting.
Sitting
A brooding over eggs for hatching, as by fowls.
The male bird . . . amuses her [the female] with his songs during the whole time of her sitting.
Sitting
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait);
He wanted his portrait painted but couldn't spare time for the sitting
Sitting
The act of assuming or maintaining a seated position;
He read the mystery at one sitting
Sitting
A meeting of spiritualists;
The seance was held in the medium's parlor
Sitting
A session as of a legislature or court
Sitting
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks;
The seated Madonna
The audience remained seated
Sitting
Not moving and therefore easy to attack;
A sitting target
Sitting
A period during which someone poses for a portrait or photograph.
The model had three sittings with the photographer.
Sitting
A scheduled period of time during which one remains seated and engaged in a single activity.
She completed her work in one sitting.
Sitting
Being in a position of rest or relaxation.
He was sitting comfortably with a book.
FAQs
What does "Sitting" generally refer to?
"Sitting" usually refers to the act of being in a seated position.
How can "Sitting" be used in the context of art?
In art, a "Sitting" refers to a period during which someone poses for a portrait.
Can "Sitting" refer to something other than being seated?
Yes, "Sitting" can also mean a session of a court or the period someone poses for a portrait.
Is "Sitting" used as a verb?
Yes, as in "She is sitting on the bench."
Can "Seating" refer to materials?
Yes, like when referring to the type of materials used to create seats.
What might "Seating arrangement" imply?
It implies the layout or design of chairs or places to sit in a venue.
What does "Seating capacity" mean?
It denotes the number of people a venue can accommodate.
How does "Seating" differ from "Sitting"?
"Seating" relates to the arrangement or provision of places to sit.
Can "Seating" be an action?
Yes, as in the act of placing someone in a seat.
What's a "seating chart"?
It's a diagram showing where people are to sit, often used at events.
What's a "sitting room"?
It's a room designed for relaxation and entertainment.
What might "priority seating" mean?
It refers to seats reserved for specific individuals or groups, like the elderly.
Can there be multiple "Sittings" at a restaurant?
Yes, it refers to different times slots when meals are served.
Is "Sitting" always passive?
No, "Sitting" can be active, as when someone chooses to sit in meditation.
Is "Seating" always about chairs?
No, "Seating" can refer to any place where people can sit, including benches, floors, or steps.
What might "stadium seating" imply?
It implies tiered levels of seats, often seen in modern movie theaters.
How is "Sitting" used in politics?
In politics, a "sitting" official is currently in office.
Can "Sitting" be harmful?
Prolonged sitting can be detrimental to one's health.
Is "sitting duck" related to being seated?
No, it's an idiom meaning an easy target.
Can "Seating" relate to comfort?
Yes, seating can refer to how comfortable the chairs or places to sit are.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
