kneel

verb

ˈnēl How to pronounce kneel (audio)
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.
During the Division 1 Women’s Foil event, cis fencer Stephanie Turner knelt in front of her opponent Redmond Sullivan, removed her protective mask, and refused to begin the match. — Samantha Riedel, Them., 3 Apr. 2025 Upon arrival, the men were shown kneeling as their heads were shaved before being dressed in the prison's all-white uniform. — David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025 The new inmates were then forced to kneel while prison guards shaved their hair and shouted commands. — Michael Rios, CNN, 17 Mar. 2025 Child's Pose Stretch Child's pose (also known as kneeling back extension) stretches muscles at the top of the pelvis and along the spine:2 Begin on your hands and knees. — Aubrey Bailey, Pt, Dpt, Cht, Verywell Health, 14 Mar. 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

Rhymes for kneel

See All Rhymes for kneel

Browse Nearby Words

knee-jointed
kneel
knee-length
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Kneel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kneel. Accessed 11 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

kneel

verb
ˈnē(ə)l How to pronounce kneel (audio)
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

Nglish: Translation of kneel for Spanish Speakers

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