pronation

[ proh-ney-shuhn ]

noun

1. rotation of the hand or forearm so that the surface of the palm is facing downward or toward the back ( supination ).
2. a comparable motion of the foot consisting of abduction followed by eversion.
3. the position assumed as the result of this rotation.
4. any similar motion of the limbs or feet of animals.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pronation¹

First recorded in 1660–70; pronate + -ion

Example Sentences

To throw the changeup, he needed his wrist to snap in the other direction, a process called pronation.

From Los Angeles Times

But after several years of lab research, Caprara concluded that pronation is only one of several important aspects to a person’s stride — and shouldn’t always be controlled.

From Seattle Times

His signature pitch is thrown with a circle-change grip, but the pronation of his wrist as he releases the ball creates both left-to-right and downward movement.

From Los Angeles Times

The majority of people have what is called overpronation, where the foot rolls inwards during the stride, but some people under pronate where the opposite is true, while others have neutral pronation.

From The Guardian

In that article, Hogan told an apocryphal tale about having an enlightening dream in 1946—the year he won his first major—in which the old Scottish term pronation came to his mind.

From Golf Digest