gesture

1 of 2

noun

ges·​ture ˈjes-chər 

ˈjesh-

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

4

archaic : carriage, bearing

gesture

2 of 2

verb

gestured; gesturing

intransitive verb

: to make a gesture (see gesture entry 1 sense 1)

transitive verb

: to express or direct by a gesture (see gesture entry 1 sense 1)

Synonyms of gesture

Noun

• sign
• signal
• posture
• wave
• gesticulation

Verb

• motion
• wave

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

Noun

Handcrafted from a solid glass block, the identity of the artisans behind these elegant and luxurious vases remained mysterious until the author of a recent study performed the simple gesture of turning a diatreta around while viewing the collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. —Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 16 Nov. 2025

That's what's so charming about so many of these New Year's Eve movies, which don't always center around the countdown to a big romantic gesture. —Whitney Perry, Glamour, 16 Nov. 2025

Verb

Some of us are going to be telling stories (gesturing to Flowers and Morrison) and some of us are going to be speaking with the village elders about how to make your life better (gesturing to Shepard and Robbins), and some of us are going to be trying to debrief about the news of the day. —Julian Sancton, HollywoodReporter, 17 Nov. 2025

The drivers tried to assist with the rescue, cracking their doors open, gesturing to the dog to trust the officer. —Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 14 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin gestura mode of action, from Latin gestus, past participle of gerere

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Verb

1542, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing gesture

• gesture language
• symbolic gesture

Rhymes for gesture

• bestir
• vesture

Kids 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