Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

Definition of lean verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

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lean

verb
lean pronunciation English liːn lean pronunciation American liːn
 
leaned, leanedBritish English also leant, leant
leant pronunciation English lent leant pronunciation American lent
1 [intransitive] (+ adverb/preposition) to bend or move from a vertical positionI leaned back in my chair.The tower is leaning dangerously.A man was leaning out of the window.2 [intransitive] to rest on or against something for supportlean against something A shovel was leaning against the wall.lean on something She walked slowly, leaning on her son's arm.3 [transitive] lean something against/on something to make something rest against something in a sloping positionCan I lean my bike against the wall?
Idioms
see bend/lean over backwards at backwards
Phrasal verbs

lean on somebody/something

1 to depend on somebody/something for help and support
Synonym
rely onHe leans heavily on his family.2 to try to influence somebody by threatening themThe government has been leaning on the TV company not to broadcast the show.

lean to/towards/toward something

to have a tendency to prefer something, especially a particular opinion or interestThe UK leant towards the US proposal.