sedentary

UK: /ˈsɛd^əntəri/ US: /ˈsɛdənˌtɛri/ ,(sed′n ter′ē)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

sed•en•tar•y /ˈsɛdənˌtɛri/   adj. 

1. showing or requiring a sitting posture:
   a sedentary occupation.
2. having or showing inactivity and lack of exercise:
   led a sedentary life.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

sed•en•tar•y  (sed′n ter′ē), adj. 

1. characterized by or requiring a sitting posture:
   a sedentary occupation.
2. accustomed to sit or rest a great deal or to take little exercise.
3. Zoology [Chiefly Zool.]
   • abiding in one place; not migratory.
   • pertaining to animals that move about little or are permanently attached to something, as a barnacle.

• Latin sedentārius sitting, equivalent. to sedent- (stem of sedēns, present participle of sedēre to sit¹; see -ent) + -ārius -ary
• 1590–1600

sed•en•tar•i•ly  (sed′n târ′ə lē, sed′n ter′-), adj.  sed′en•tar′i•ness, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

sedentary / ˈsɛd^əntərɪ -trɪ/ adjective

1. characterized by or requiring a sitting position: sedentary work
2. tending to sit about without taking much exercise
3. (of animals) moving about very little, usually because of attachment to a rock or other surface
4. (of animals) not migratory

Etymology: 16th Century: from Latin sedentārius, from sedēre to sit

ˈsedentarily adverb

ˈsedentariness noun