Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Language: Old English
Origin: hleonian

lean

1 verb
     
lean1 S3 past tense and past participle leaned or leant especially British English
1 [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to move or bend your body in a particular direction
lean forward/back/over etc
They were leaning forward, facing each other.
Lean back and enjoy the ride.
She leant towards him and listened.
lean
2 [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to support yourself in a sloping position against a wall or other surface
lean against/on
He was leaning on the bridge, watching the boats go by.
3 [intransitive,transitive always + adverb/preposition] to put something in a sloping position where it is supported, or to be in that position
lean (something) against/on something
A huge mirror was leaning against the wall.
He leant his bicycle against the fence.
4 [intransitive] to slope or bend from an upright position:
trees leaning in the wind

lean on somebody

phrasal verb
1 to depend on someone for support and encouragement, especially at a difficult time:
The couple lean on each other for support.
2 informal to try to influence someone, especially by threatening them:
He won't pay unless you lean on him.

lean towards something

phrasal verb
to tend to support, or begin to support, a particular set of opinions, beliefs etc:
Canada, the UK and Japan leant towards the US view.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
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