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.
The man then raised his hands into what deputies thought was a shooting position, kneeling behind a concrete light pole. — Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026 The driver then raised his hands into what deputies perceived as a shooting position while kneeling behind a concrete light pole. — Grace Bellinghausen, Sun Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026 Dodgers rookie Josue DePaula kneels on the field during practice. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026 Alabama had no timeouts remaining, and Georgia was able to kneel out the clock Saturday. — Ryan Morik Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 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

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 20 Oct. 2026.

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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
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