lean in

verb

To shift one's weight forward; to lean forward or towards something.

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Meanings

verblean in (third-person singular simple present leans in, present participle leaning in, simple past and past participle leaned in or leant in)

present singular third person leans in · participle present leaning in · participle past leaned in · past leaned in · participle past leant in · past leant in

  1. To shift one's weight forward; to lean forward or towards something.
  2. figurativelyTo proactively take charge of a situation; to be bold in exerting one's will in a situation.

    2011, Sheryl Sandberg, Forrestal Lecture at the United States Naval Academy. We need to find a way for women to not drop out, but to lean in to their careers and give them the flexibility they need to stay in the workforce.

  3. figurativelyTo continue or strengthen a reaction in the face of criticism or disappointment; to redouble efforts despite setbacks and uncertainty from others.
Cite this entry
APA

lean in. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/lean%20in

MLA

“lean in.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/lean%20in. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “lean in,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/lean%20in.

Source: lean in on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.