Sitter

A 'sitter' generally refers to someone who is employed to care for a person or a thing. This could involve watching and tending to children (babysitter), pets (petsitter), houses (housesitter), or even objects. The role often requires responsible supervision, attention, and the ability to respond to various needs. Sitters often provide companionship, ensuring the well-being and safety of those or those things in their care. The duration of the care can vary, ranging from a few hours to several days or longer. A sitter's responsibilities extend beyond mere presence; they usually involve active engagement and proactive management of the environment and needs of their charges. Their commitment helps others to be secure in the knowledge that their dependent is properly cared for.

Sitter meaning with examples

• As a busy couple with tight schedules, the Smiths regularly employed a babysitter to look after their two children. Their responsibilities involved feeding the kids, engaging them in fun activities, and ensuring their safety until the parents returned home. The sitter was also responsible for putting the kids to bed and adhering to their established routines, helping them to have a peaceful sleep.
• When the family went on vacation, they hired a petsitter to visit their home daily to feed their cat, clean the litter box, and provide fresh water. The petsitter also played with the cat and made sure to keep the cat company, so the cat felt less lonely and less stressed during the period the owners were away. The petsitter sent them daily updates and photos, reassuring the family of the pet’s wellbeing.
• Before a scheduled business trip, the homeowner arranged for a housesitter to stay in their home to collect mail, water the plants, and deter potential burglars. The housesitter had full access to the house and was charged with keeping the property clean, securing the premises, and managing any unexpected issues while the homeowner was away. The owner provided detailed instructions and contact information.
• The museum curator arranged for a security sitter to stay and watch the museum exhibit. The sitter made sure that no items were stolen and no harm was caused to any of the works of art. The sitter walked the halls and watched the exhibit for the duration of the exhibit, ensuring public safety and the preservation of the artistic works on display for everyone to see.
• The family needed to hire a medication sitter to ensure their senior family member took all medications, and was safe in their home. The sitter was trained in first aid and CPR in the event of any emergency, and could help if the senior family member fell. The sitter remained in the home at all times, and kept notes on any changes in health.