kneel

verb

knelt ˈnelt How to pronounce kneel (audio) or kneeled; kneeling

intransitive verb

: to position the body so that one or both knees rest on the floor
The prisoners were ordered to kneel.
: to fall or rest on the knees
She kneeled on the floor next to the child.

Examples of kneel in a Sentence

She was kneeling on the floor beside her child. He was kneeling in front of the altar and praying.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Later, a secretary was kneeling over to help fix recording equipment in the Hammond courtroom. Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2025 Udon Thani, Thailand CNN — In the crowded room, a local spiritual leader chanted verses in the Isan dialect of northeast Thailand while attendees knelt on woven mats. Kocha Olarn, CNN, 21 Feb. 2025 The bride-to-be shared the engagement news on Instagram the following day with a photo of Carson kneeling in front of her, surrounded by string lights, candles and flowers. Jacqueline Weiss, People.com, 14 Feb. 2025 Lights in the stadium crowd spell out: START HERE above a downward pointing arrow squarely on a Lamar, kneeling in front of a Buick GNX, an unspoken nod to his latest LP, GNX. Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for kneel

Word History

Etymology

Middle English knelen, from Old English cnēowlian; akin to Old English cnēow knee

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kneel was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Kneel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kneel. Accessed 8 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

kneel

verb
knelt ˈnelt How to pronounce kneel (audio) or kneeled
ˈnē(ə)ld
; kneeling
: to bend the knee : support oneself on the knees
kneeler noun

More from Merriam-Webster on kneel

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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