# kneeling

/ˈniɫɪŋ/ (US) · /nˈiːlɪŋ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 2. the act of bending knees

noun · CEFR B2

the action of putting your knees on the ground.

For teachers: the act of assuming or maintaining a kneeling position, often for ritualistic, religious, or practical purposes.

- The long period of kneeling during the ceremony made his legs feel stiff.
- The tradition involves a formal kneeling before the altar as a sign of deep respect and submission.

## Examples

- He is kneeling on the floor to fix the chair.
- The gardener spent the entire afternoon kneeling in the dirt while planting the new flower beds.
- The photograph captures a moment of quiet reflection, with the subject kneeling before the memorial in a posture that conveys both exhaustion and deep reverence.

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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.