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.
Immediately after the Chiefs knelt on the final play of the game to wrap up the win, Detroit safety Brian Branch was seen rejecting a handshake from Patrick Mahomes and approaching Kansas City wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster. Ben Morse, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2025 They're instructed to return to visit the artwork weekly; to sit, stand or kneel in front of it for about 15 minutes; then write a response paper each week. Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 13 Oct. 2025 After the two-minute warning, the Patriots were able to kneel down and come out of the Superdome at 4-2 with a win. Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 12 Oct. 2025 Fatherley continued to kneel on Adair’s back and put pressure on his shoulder even after other deputies believed Adair had stopped resisting, according to the affidavit. Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 10 Oct. 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 17 Oct. 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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