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 dog appears ecstatic, jumping up as the woman kneels down next to her suitcase to cuddle the pup. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025 Johnson was a part of the 2018 Super Bowl team that had its invitation rescinded by Trump after some players refused to visit the White House due to Trump’s criticism of those who knelt or raised fists during the national anthem in protest of racial injustice and police brutality. Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 28 Feb. 2025 Adding to the strange incident, the culprits reportedly knelt in prayer before the casket, which also featured an upside-down cross. Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 21 Feb. 2025 No such statue of Floyd exists Floyd was killed in May 2020 when then-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who is white, kneeled on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes. Katie Smith, USA TODAY, 13 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 22 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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