lean

1 verb past tense and past participle leaned or leant, especially BrE

1 (intransitive always + adv/prep) to move or bend your body in a particular direction

(+ forward/back etc): Robert was leaning forward, talking to the people in front. | They were leaning over her, trying to wake her up.

2 (I) to slope or bend from an upright position: trees leaning in the wind

3 (intransitive always + adv/prep) to support yourself or be supported in a sloping position against a wall or other surface

(+ on/against): He was leaning on the bar with a drink in his hand. | There was a ladder leaning against the wall.

4 (transitive always + adv/prep) to put something in a sloping position where it is supported: lean sth on/against sth: Gail leant her head on his shoulder.

lean on sb/sth phrasal verb (T)

1 to depend on someone or something for support and encouragement, especially at a difficult time: It's good to know you've got friends to lean on.

2 informal to try to influence someone, especially by threatening them: lean on sb to do sth: Lean on them to pay up.

lean towards sth phrasal verb (T) to tend to support, or begin to support, a particular set of opinions, beliefs etc: My wife is voting Democrat but I'm leaning towards the Republicans. 2 adjective

1 thin in a healthy and attractive way: lean and athletic looking

-see thin 1

2 lean meat does not have much fat on it

3 a lean organization, company etc uses only as much money and as many people as it needs, so that nothing is wasted

4 a lean period is a very difficult time because there is not enough money, business etc: a lean year for business

- leanness noun (U) 3 noun (U) the fleshy part of meat and not the bone or fat