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.
Delaware County, with a population estimated at nearly 25 percent Irish, will kneel. Brendan Quinn, New York Times, 17 May 2026 The first painting shows Saint Peter Nolasco kneeling before a vision of Saint Peter hanging upside-down, his hands and feet nailed to an inverted cross. The Week Uk, TheWeek, 15 May 2026 Bakambu kneels alone near the center circle. Franklin Leonard, Vanity Fair, 14 May 2026 Princess Kate knelt to chat with some of the children, speaking with them in Italian. Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026 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 20 May. 2026.

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

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