1. shows excessive respect or submission to someone in authority
Usage: often disapproving
2. performs a traditional Chinese bow by kneeling and touching the forehead to the ground
Usage: historical; cultural

Examples

• The employee kowtows to his demanding boss every day.
• She refuses to kowtow to peer pressure.
• The politician kowtows to wealthy donors.
• He kowtows before the emperor in the traditional ceremony.
• The company kowtows to customer complaints immediately.
• She won’t kowtow to unreasonable demands.