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.
The song reportedly featured a lyric about Floyd, a 46-year-old black man who died in May 2020 after a white Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his head and neck for nearly 10 minutes while arresting him. Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2025 Before continuing her remarks, Tisch knelt in front of Islam’s wife, and the pair embraced. Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 31 July 2025 Burrows, a six-term Republican from Lubbock and still new to role of speaker, knelt beside Savoy and in a low tone said nice things about Manuel despite the two lawmakers having little in common politically. John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025 They were deported against the instructions of a federal judge, frog-marched off American planes and forced to kneel before cameras and have their heads shaved. Perla Trevizo, ProPublica, 30 July 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 21 Aug. 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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