English Reference

Word

reclining

Phoneticsre·clin·ing

US/ɹiˈkɫaɪnɪŋ/

UK/ɹɪklˈaɪnɪŋ/

Definition

n. a position where you lie back at an angle, usually to rest or sleep. In plants, it describes a specific way some species grow or move.

n. the act or state of lying back at an angle, typically for rest or sleep. In botanical contexts, refers to the growth habit of certain plants that lie flat on the ground.

Examples

“The reclining position helps the patient feel more comfortable.”

“The patient was advised to maintain a reclining position for several hours after the surgery to reduce swelling.”

“While most climbers ascend vertically, the reclining style involves leaning back against the wall to maintain balance, a technique often used by beginners to manage fear of heights.”

Examples

simple

“The reclining position helps the patient feel more comfortable.”

contextual

“The patient was advised to maintain a reclining position for several hours after the surgery to reduce swelling.”

complex

“While most climbers ascend vertically, the reclining style involves leaning back against the wall to maintain balance, a technique often used by beginners to manage fear of heights.”

Real-World Examples

“Earlier research has linked greater amounts of sedentary behavior, including sitting, reclining, or lying down while awake, with poorer health outcomes.”
ScienceDaily · 3 Sept 2026
“They’re like messy, rough takes on chintzy 18th-century European decorative art, rococo porcelain with its depictions of reclining ladies in voluminous dresses.”
The Guardian · 18 Sept 2026

Domain

Botany

This entry

Level
C2 · Proficiency
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

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English Reference