lean
verb (used without object)
to incline or bend from a vertical position.
leaned
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past participleof lean.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
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past tense formof lean.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
leanverb (used without object)to incline or bend from a vertical position.
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.
Prior to the policy changes, Garcia leaned left but followed politics only from a distance.
From Barron's ● Oct. 28, 2026
“I know what I’ve seen in the last year and a half, and the help she’s leaned in and given to this community,” Caruso said of Bass.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 20, 2026
Chinese businesses have leaned heavily on exports as a prolonged property slump, weak wage growth and high youth unemployment have weighed on consumer spending at home.
From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2026
“It weakens the ‘no low-band’ rebuttal management teams have leaned on,” Maral wrote.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 9, 2026
I leaned out the window and scanned the congested street behind us.
From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu
