Legal Definitions - lean

Definition: To incline or tend in opinion or preference. A court is sometimes said to “lean toward” or “lean against” an advocate's position, meaning that the court regards that position favorably or unfavorably. To yield; to submit.

• The judge seemed to lean toward the plaintiff's argument.
• After much discussion, the group leaned toward the idea of holding the event outdoors.
• He decided to lean against the wall and take a break.

The examples illustrate how "lean" can be used to describe a preference or inclination towards something. In the first example, the judge is favorably inclined towards the plaintiff's argument. In the second example, the group is leaning towards the idea of holding the event outdoors, indicating a preference for that option. In the third example, the person is physically leaning against the wall, indicating a submission or yielding to the need for a break.