kneel

verb

ˈnēl 

knelt ˈnelt  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

Jonathan Isaac Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac became one of the NBA's most prominent voices defending individual choice during the pandemic, after becoming a cultural lightning rod for refusing to kneel for the anthem in the NBA Bubble. — Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Despite this, Moore has forced the Maryland legislature to kneel to his demands. — Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 5 Aug. 2026

He was first seen by a witness on Saturday, kneeling near the site where the fire started, the sheriff said. — Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026

Young and tight end Tommy Tremble kneeled beside him, appearing to pray. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 4 Aug. 2026

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

Rhymes for kneel

• beal
• chiel
• ciel
• creel
• deal
• diel
• eel
• feel
• feil
• heal
• heel
• keel

Kids Definition

kneel

verb

ˈnē(ə)l 

knelt ˈnelt  or kneeled

ˈnē(ə)ld

; kneeling

: to bend the knee : support oneself on the knees

kneeler noun