1
: a movement usually of the body or limbs that expresses or emphasizes an idea, sentiment, or attitude
raised his hand overhead in a gesture of triumph
2
: the use of motions of the limbs or body as a means of expression
3
: something said or done by way of formality or courtesy, as a symbol or token, or for its effect on the attitudes of others
… a political gesture to draw popular support …—
V. L. Parrington
V. L. Parrington
gestured; gesturing
: to make a gesture (see gesture entry 1 sense 1)
: to express or direct by a gesture (see gesture entry 1 sense 1)
Examples of gesture in a Sentence
Noun
Specific gestures can indicate particular moods.
His arm was raised in a gesture of defiance.
Verb
She gestured towards the fireplace.
He gestured at his audience.
The room was filled with angry people shouting and gesturing.
He gestured to his partner to leave.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 8 Dec. 2025
The gesture was reciprocated two days later by the famous Mexican superstar on social media with an image of both their faces but no accompanying message.
—Natalia Cano, Billboard, 6 Dec. 2025
Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2025
The commission’s Executive Director Shawn Ayala stood in front of commissioners, and gestured to the screen.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 6 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gesture
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Noun
Observers noted that Optimus was not wearing any device, making the gesture a key point of debate.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 8 Dec. 2025
The gesture was reciprocated two days later by the famous Mexican superstar on social media with an image of both their faces but no accompanying message.
—Natalia Cano, Billboard, 6 Dec. 2025
Verb
Kay, who by then was finishing his second Guinness, gestured at my phone.
—Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2025
The commission’s Executive Director Shawn Ayala stood in front of commissioners, and gestured to the screen.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 6 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gesture
Cite this Entry
“Gesture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gesture. Accessed 10 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
gesture
1 of 2 noun
ges·ture
ˈjes-chər 
ˈjesh-
1
: a movement of the body or limbs that expresses or emphasizes an idea or a feeling
2
: something said or done by way of courtesy or for its effect on other people
a political gesture
gesture
2 of 2 verb
gestured; gesturing
: to make or direct with a gesture
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