Seat

something designed to support a person in a sitting position, as a chair, bench, or pew; a place on or in which one sits.
the part of a chair, sofa, or the like, on which one sits.
the part of the body on which one sits; the buttocks.
the part of the garment covering it:
the seat of one’s pants.
a manner of or posture used in sitting, as on a horse.
something on which the base of an object rests.
the base itself.
a place in which something belongs, occurs, or is established; site; location.
a place in which administrative power or the like is centered:
the seat of the government.
a part of the body considered as the place in which an emotion or function is centered:
The heart is the seat of passion.
the office or authority of a king, bishop, etc.:
the episcopal seat.
a space in which a spectator or patron may sit; accommodation for sitting, as in a theater or stadium.
right of admittance to such a space, especially as indicated by a ticket.
a right to sit as a member in a legislative or similar body:
to hold a seat in the senate.
a right to the privileges of membership in a stock exchange or the like.
to place on a seat or seats; cause to sit down.
to usher to a seat or find a seat for:
to be seated in the front row.
to have seats for; accommodate with seats:
a theater that seats 1200 people.
to put a seat on or into (a chair, garment, etc.).
to install in a position or office of authority, in a legislative body, etc.
to fit (a valve) with a seat.
to attach to or place firmly in or on something as a base:
Seat the telescope on the tripod.
(of a cap, valve, etc.) to be closed or in proper position:
Be sure that the cap of the dipstick seats.
by the seat of one’s pants, using experience, instinct, or guesswork.
Contemporary Examples

Tea Party Reindeer Farmer Faces Extinction Ben Jacobs July 29, 2014
Democrats Are on Track to Retain Control of Senate Eleanor Clift November 5, 2012
White Supremacist Stampede Eve Conant July 4, 2011
The 2012 Election Brings a Stunning Array of Firsts for Women in Congress Abigail Pesta November 7, 2012
How to Make Your Trip Run Smoothly Jolie Hunt December 31, 2010

Historical Examples

The Story of the Upper Canada Rebellion, Volume 1 John Charles Dent
The Grand Old Man Richard B. Cook
The Huntress Hulbert Footner
Ester Ried Yet Speaking Isabella Alden
The Squirrel-Cage Dorothy Canfield

noun
a piece of furniture designed for sitting on, such as a chair or sofa
the part of a chair, bench, etc, on which one sits
a place to sit, esp one that requires a ticket: I have two seats for the film tonight
the buttocks
the part of a garment covering the buttocks
the part or area serving as the base of an object
the part or surface on which the base of an object rests
the place or centre in which something is located: a seat of government
a place of abode, esp a country mansion that is or was originally the chief residence of a family
a membership or the right to membership in a legislative or similar body
(mainly Brit) a parliamentary constituency
membership in a stock exchange
the manner in which a rider sits on a horse
by the seat of one’s pants, by instinct rather than knowledge or experience
(W African, informal) on seat, (of officials) in the office rather than on tour or on leave: the agricultural advisor will be on seat tomorrow
verb
(transitive) to bring to or place on a seat; cause to sit down
(transitive) to provide with seats
(transitive; often passive) to place or centre: the ministry is seated in the capital
(transitive) to set firmly in place
(transitive) to fix or install in a position of power
(transitive) to put a seat on or in (an item of furniture, garment, etc)
(intransitive) (of garments) to sag in the area covering the buttocks: your thin skirt has seated badly
n.
v.
In addition to the idiom beginning with
seat