What does supinate mean?
Supinate is a technical verb meaning to rotate the forearm so that the palm faces upward or forward. The movement is the anatomical opposite of pronation, which turns the palm downward or backward. Supination can also describe placing a hand, foot, or other body part in a face-up position, although the term is most common in discussions of the forearm, wrist, and hand. In medicine and physical therapy, clinicians may instruct a patient to supinate the forearm, often to test movement, strength, or joint function. The word is especially associated with anatomical descriptions in which the orientation of the palm matters. Although it sounds similar to the adjective supine, supinate names an active turning movement, while supine describes a resting or lying position. Because its meaning is specific and technical, supinate is normally reserved for anatomical or clinical contexts rather than general conversation.
verbTo rotate the forearm so that the palm faces upward or forward. In anatomical contexts, it also means to turn a body part upward or into a supine position.
- To rotate the forearm so that the palm faces upward or forward.
- To turn a body part upward or into a position with the palm facing upward.
"The therapist asked him to supinate his forearm and relax his hand."
"He supinated his forearm to show the palm of his hand."
"The movement is performed by supinating the hand against resistance."
Supinate is the anatomical counterpart of pronate: one turns the palm up, the other turns it down.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does supinate come from?
Supinate comes from the Latin verb supināre, meaning “to bend backward” or “to turn up,” which is related to supinus, “bent backward” or “lying on the back.” The English word entered medical and anatomical usage in the seventeenth century. Its cognate supine preserves the related idea of lying on the back or facing upward, while supination names the corresponding anatomical movement.
Related word forms
How supinate is actually used
Supinate is chiefly used in anatomy, medicine, physical therapy, and related technical contexts. It is the opposite of pronate. The word is not normally used in ordinary conversation.
Easily confused with supinate
Supinate is a verb describing the action of turning the palm upward, whereas supine is an adjective meaning lying on the back or face upward.