ülőhely, ülés, hely, ültet, helyére kísér, leültet, elfér, befogad, férőhelyes, helyet foglal, leül, ülőlap, mandátum, székhely, központ, góc, a helyére illeszt, beilleszt, beiktat, mandátumot igazol, ülep, fenékrész, fenék
Usage pattern:
a seat; an empty/free seat; a seat on/in something
Learner examples
Common mistake:
Do not confuse the noun seat with the verb sit: say "I found a seat" but "I sat down."
Themes
countable
| everyday
| transport
| furniture
Definition
a place or thing that you sit on
a thing or place made for one person to sit on, such as a chair, or a space on a bus, train, or sofa
Usage pattern:
book/reserve/get a seat; seat number; window/aisle seat
Learner examples
Meaning
reserved or assigned place
Themes
countable
| travel
| entertainment
| booking
Definition
a place to sit that you have booked or been given
a particular place to sit that is reserved, paid for, or assigned, especially in a vehicle, theater, stadium, or at an event
Usage pattern:
seat someone; be seated near/by/at something
Learner examples
Common mistake:
Seat someone is usually transitive: "The host seated us," not "The host seated."
Themes
transitive
| hospitality
| event
Definition
to put someone in a place where they can sit
to give someone a place to sit, or show someone where to sit
Usage pattern:
seat + number; seat up to + number + people
Learner examples
Meaning
have capacity for
Themes
transitive
| capacity
| numbers
Definition
to have room for a particular number of people to sit
to have enough seats for a particular number of people
Usage pattern:
be seated; seat oneself + place
Learner examples
Common mistake:
In everyday English, use "sit down" for the simple action. "Be seated" is more formal or official.
Themes
reflexive
| passive
| formal
Definition
to sit down; this is often used formally as "be seated"
to sit down, especially in the forms be seated or seat oneself
Usage pattern:
the seat of a chair/stool; a wooden/padded seat
Learner examples
Themes
countable
| furniture
| part
Definition
the flat part of a chair that supports your body when you sit
the part of a chair or similar object that you sit on
Usage pattern:
win/lose/gain/hold a seat; a seat in/on something
Learner examples
Meaning
position in official body
Themes
countable
| politics
| organization
Definition
a position as a member of an official group, especially one that people vote for
a position as an elected or appointed member of a parliament, council, committee, board, or similar body
Usage pattern:
the seat of government/power; legal/official seat
Learner examples
Themes
formal
| government
| organization
| location
Definition
the main official place of a government, institution, or organization
the official place where an institution, government, or important organization is based
Usage pattern:
the seat of + abstract noun/condition
Learner examples
Themes
formal
| abstract
| source
Definition
the place where something important is thought to be based or produced
the place or part where a quality, activity, condition, or power is thought to be centered or to come from
Usage pattern:
seat something in/on something; be properly/fully seated
Learner examples
Themes
technical
| transitive
| engineering
Definition
to put a part firmly in the right position
to place or fit something firmly and correctly in its proper position
Usage pattern:
seat someone as something; be seated in/on a body
Learner examples
Meaning
install as member
Themes
formal
| politics
| organization
| transitive
Definition
to officially make someone a member of a council, parliament, committee, or similar group
to formally allow or install someone as a member of an official body after they have been chosen or elected
Usage pattern:
the seat of trousers/pants/jeans
Learner examples
Themes
clothing
| countable
| part
Definition
the back part of trousers or pants that covers the part of the body you sit on
the part of trousers or another garment that covers the buttocks
Usage pattern:
fall/land on one's seat
Learner examples
Common mistake:
This use can sound humorous or old-fashioned; in neutral everyday English, use "bottom" or "buttocks" depending on formality.
Themes
body_part
| euphemistic
| humorous
| low_frequency
Definition
a humorous or old-fashioned word for a person's bottom
the buttocks; the part of the body that a person sits on
Grammar
Dictionary form
seat
IPA
Syllables & stress
seat (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (seat)
Word forms
Word family
Core family
seating
noun
seated
adjective
Related words
seatbelt
noun
Negative and opposite forms
unseat
verb
Expressions
car seat
4
/kˈɑɹ sˈit/
fixed phrase
child safety seat
a safety seat for a baby or child in a car
Examples
They installed the car seat before bringing the baby home.
Children must use a car seat until they are old enough for a regular seat belt.
The car seat was too small for their three-year-old.
Learner examples
We need to buy a new car seat for the baby.
Is this car seat easy to install?
have a seat
2
/hˈæv ə sˈit/
fixed phrase
invitation to sit
used to say politely that someone can sit down
Examples
Come in and have a seat.
Have a seat while I print the documents.
The receptionist smiled and said, “Please have a seat.”
Learner examples
Please have a seat in my office.
The nurse told me to have a seat.
in the driver's seat
5
/ˈɪn ðə dɹˈaɪvɚz sˈit/
idiom
in control
having control or power in a situation
Examples
After the merger, the new CEO was clearly in the driver’s seat.
A strong early lead put their team in the driver’s seat.
With the final decision in her hands, Maria was in the driver’s seat.
Learner examples
Our company is in the driver’s seat now.
He wants to be in the driver’s seat on this project.
in the hot seat
7
/ˈɪn ðə hˈɑt sˈit/
idiom
under pressure
in a situation where people are asking you difficult questions or blaming you
Examples
The minister was in the hot seat after the report was released.
During the interview, I felt like I was in the hot seat.
The coach is in the hot seat after three straight losses.
Learner examples
The manager was in the hot seat at the meeting.
I don’t like being in the hot seat.
on the edge of one's seat
4
/ˈɔn ðə ˈɛd͡ʒ əv wˈʌnz sˈit/
idiom
extremely excited or nervous waiting
Feeling very excited or nervous because you are waiting for something to happen.
Examples
The movie kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end.
She was on the edge of her seat during the entire match.
on the edge of one's seat
6
/ˈɔn ðə ˈɛd͡ʒ əv wˈʌnz sˈit/
idiom
excited with suspense
so excited or nervous that you want to know what happens next
Examples
The final episode kept us on the edge of our seats.
It was a thrilling match, and the crowd was on the edge of its seat.
Her story had everyone on the edge of their seats.
Learner examples
The movie kept me on the edge of my seat.
We were on the edge of our seats during the game.
seat belt
3
/sˈit bˈɛlt/
fixed phrase
safety strap
a safety belt in a car or plane
Examples
Fasten your seat belt before we start driving.
The seat belt sign is on, so please stay in your seat.
She was wearing a seat belt when the accident happened.
Learner examples
Always wear your seat belt in the car.
I forgot to fasten my seat belt.
take a back seat
8
/tˈeɪk ə bˈæk sˈit/
idiom
become less important
to become less important or let someone or something else be more important
Examples
During the crisis, personal plans had to take a back seat.
He took a back seat in the family business after his daughter became CEO.
Health should not take a back seat to work.
Learner examples
My hobbies took a back seat when I started university.
Sleep often takes a back seat to study during exams.
take a seat
1
/tˈeɪk ə sˈit/
fixed phrase
sit down
to sit down
Examples
Please take a seat and the doctor will see you shortly.
Everyone took a seat around the table.
You can take a seat over there while you wait.
Learner examples
Please take a seat here.
I took a seat near the window.
