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sedentary

Pronunciation: /ˈsɛd(ə)nt(ə)ri/

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Definition of sedentary

adjective

  • (of a person) tending to spend much time seated; somewhat inactive: we all walk a certain amount every day even if we are sedentary
  • (of work or a way of life) characterized by much sitting and little physical exercise: a sedentary lifestyle spells bad news for hips and thighs
  • (of a position) sitting; seated: he spoke from a sedentary position
  • Zoology & Anthropology inhabiting the same locality throughout life; not migratory or nomadic: a tribe of sedentary agriculturists
  • Zoology (of an animal) sessile.

Derivatives

sedentarily

adverb

sedentariness

noun

Origin:

late 16th century (in the sense 'not migratory'): from French sédentaire or Latin sedentarius, from sedere 'sit'

Spelling help

Remember that sedentary ends with -ary.

sedentary in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of sedentary in the US English dictionary
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