supination: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical / Medical
Quick answer
What does “supination” mean?
The physical act of turning the palm of the hand or sole of the foot upward or forward.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The physical act of turning the palm of the hand or sole of the foot upward or forward.
In anatomy and biomechanics, the outward rotation of a limb (especially the forearm) or the positioning of a body part in an upward-facing orientation. More broadly, it can describe a state of being or a posture that is receptive or vulnerable.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The word is used identically in technical contexts across both variants.
Connotations
None beyond the technical medical/anatomical field.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in general language but standard in medical, physiotherapy, and sports science terminology in both the UK and US.
Grammar
How to Use “supination” in a Sentence
supination of the [body part: forearm, wrist, foot]supination and pronationto be in supinationVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “supination” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The physio instructed me to supinate my forearm slowly against the resistance band.
- Runners who excessively supinate may need specific footwear.
American English
- The doctor asked the patient to supinate his hand during the examination.
- You need to supinate your grip for this curl variation.
adverb
British English
- The arm was positioned supinely on the armrest.
- He held the weight supinely, focusing on the contraction.
American English
- Her hands rested supinely in her lap.
- The patient's forearm was placed supinely on the table for the injection.
adjective
British English
- The supine position is common for abdominal examinations.
- He lay in a supinated posture with his palms facing the ceiling.
American English
- A supinated foot posture can lead to different types of injuries.
- The exercise targets the supinator muscle, responsible for supinated motion.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Common in medical, anatomical, physiotherapy, and sports science texts and lectures. Essential for describing limb mechanics.
Everyday
Extremely rare. May be heard in gyms or from sports coaches discussing running form or weightlifting technique.
Technical
The primary register. Used to diagnose conditions, describe surgical procedures, or analyse movement in biomechanics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “supination”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “supination”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “supination”
- Confusing 'supination' (palm up) with 'pronation' (palm down).
- Mispronouncing it as /sʌpɪˈneɪʃən/ (like 'supper').
- Using it as a verb (the correct verb is 'to supinate').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in anatomical terminology for the forearm and hand, supination (palm up) is the direct opposite of pronation (palm down). The same opposition applies to movements of the foot.
It is highly uncommon in casual conversation. You would typically describe the action ('turn your palm up') rather than use the technical term, unless speaking in a medical, fitness, or scientific context.
The verb is 'to supinate'. For example: 'Please supinate your forearm.'
They are related but not identical. 'Supine' is an adjective meaning 'lying face upward'. 'Supination' is a noun for the specific action of turning into a supine position (specifically for the palm or sole). A person can be supine without actively performing supination.
The physical act of turning the palm of the hand or sole of the foot upward or forward.
Supination is usually technical / medical in register.
Supination: in British English it is pronounced /ˌs(j)uː.pɪˈneɪ.ʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsuː.pɪˈneɪ.ʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'SUPinAtion' as holding a bowl of SOUP in your palm – your palm must face UP to hold it without spilling.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY AS A MECHANICAL TOOL WITH ROTATING PARTS (e.g., 'The forearm operates like a wrench with two settings: supination and pronation').
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following scenarios is 'supination' most accurately described?