gesticulation

noun

ges·​tic·​u·​la·​tion je-ˌsti-kyə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: the act of making gestures

2

: gesture

especially : an expressive gesture made in showing strong feeling or in enforcing an argument

Synonyms of gesticulation

• gesture

Examples of gesticulation in a Sentence

as the argument grew more heated, his gesticulations got bigger and wilder

Recent Examples on the Web

But on a Sunday morning in July 1595, the groan of the heavy wooden door startled him from his gesticulations. —Literary Hub, 19 Mar. 2026

The 2-year-old would accompany his descriptions with exaggerated gesticulations and excited chatter that went in and out of coherence. —Caleb Harris, Austin American Statesman, 20 Feb. 2026

There was a rush of gesticulations, with Greenberg speaking in English. —Robert Sullivan, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025

Nonverbal Communication: Nonverbal cues—facial expressions, eye contact, posture, gesticulation—constitute a significant portion (55%) of the message. —Su Bridgman, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for gesticulation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration