lean
verb (used without object)
to incline or bend from a vertical position.
had leaned
-
past perfectof lean.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Bannister said she had "leaned in personally on trying to get the messages clear".
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026
Those whose companies had leaned in to broader GLP-1 coverage for employees said that after 18 to 24 months, they had started to see overall healthcare costs come down, he said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 7, 2026
Henrique Braun, chief operating officer of Coca-Cola, said on a recent analyst call that the company had leaned into “mini-cans” to appeal to cash-strapped consumers.
From Barron's ● Nov. 14, 2025
Khalifa told WABC-TV that he had leaned against the tree to ride out the storm, “which in hindsight might not have been the best idea.”
From Salon ● Jun. 21, 2025
The only thing I could make out was that someone had leaned some dark bundles or sacks up ’gainst the left hand side of the stable.
From "Elijah of Buxton" by Christopher Paul Curtis
