# kneel

/ˈniɫ/ (US) · /nˈiːl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/kneel
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. to rest on your knees

verb · CEFR B1

to go down on your knees or stay in a position where your knees touch the floor.

For teachers: to support the body on one or both knees; often used as an intransitive verb to describe a posture of prayer, respect, or physical work.

- The photographer had to kneel on the grass to get a good shot of the flowers.
- The knight was instructed to kneel before the queen during the ceremony to show his loyalty and respect.

Usage: The past tense can be either 'knelt' or 'kneeled'.

### 2. bus lowering

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

when a bus lowers its front part to make it easier for people to get on.

For teachers: to lower the front or side of a vehicle, such as a bus, using a hydraulic system to facilitate passenger boarding.

- The driver waited for the bus to kneel so the passenger in the wheelchair could board easily.
- Modern urban transit systems often feature kneeling buses to ensure compliance with accessibility standards for elderly and disabled commuters.

Usage: Usually used in the continuous form ('the bus is kneeling') or as a participle adjective ('a kneeling bus').

## Examples

- You must kneel to plant the flowers in the garden.
- The photographer had to kneel on the wet grass to get the perfect low-angle shot of the building.
- In many traditional ceremonies, participants are expected to kneel as a sign of respect or humility before the proceedings begin.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.