sit upon

C1 formal inseparable transitive

In simple words

to sit on top of something

Meanings

1 B2 formal

rare

to sit on top of something

"The cat sat upon the wall in the afternoon sun."

"Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall."
— Traditional nursery rhyme (modern form uses 'on,' not usually 'upon')

Grammar: inseparable

2 C1 idiomatic formal

rare

to serve on a committee, court, or similar body

"He was asked to sit upon the advisory board."

Grammar: inseparable

Usage notes

Mostly literary, formal, or old-fashioned in physical use. Figurative uses are usually replaced by 'sit on' in modern English.

throne chair stone committee judgment

Base

sit upon

I/you/we/they

3rd person

sits upon

he/she/it

Past simple

sat upon

yesterday

Past participle

sat upon

have + pp

-ing form

sitting upon

continuous

Try:

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sit on be seated on serve on be on

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