nodded; nodding
1
: to make a quick downward motion of the head whether deliberately (as in expressing assent or salutation) or involuntarily (as from drowsiness)
She nodded in agreement.
The guard nodded to us as we walked in.
He sat nodding by the fire.
2
: to incline or sway from the vertical as though ready to fall
signposts nodding in the wind
3
: to bend or sway the upper part gently downward or forward : bob gently
the plumes that nodded on his helmet
nodding flowers on long stems
4
: to make a slip or error in a moment of abstraction
… Fuentes nods, and his language then falls into … an overly learned mumbo-jumbo that stops the drama of his action.—
Robert Maurer
Robert Maurer1
: to incline downward or forward
nodded his head in agreement
2
: to bring, invite, or send by a nod
nodded us in
3
: to signify by a nod
nodded their approval
nodder
noun
1
: the act or an instance of nodding
gave a nod of greeting
2
: an indication especially of approval or recognition
Examples of nod in a Sentence
Verb
She nodded when I asked her if she was ready.
I asked her if she could hear me, and she nodded her head.
“The bathroom is around the corner,” he said, nodding to the left.
She nodded toward the dirty dishes and said she would get to them later.
Recent Examples on the WebDetroit Free Press, 3 Apr. 2024
Bündchen laughed along with Behar and the audience and couldn't help but nod along about her appearance not changing too much over the past two decades.
—Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 1 Apr. 2024
There was a twist: One team member was a researcher who only pretended to engage in the task, nodding and commenting when appropriate but not really caring about the outcome.
—Quanta Magazine, 28 Mar. 2024
Harris then stopped clapping and instead folded her hands and slightly nodded as the song continued.
—Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 24 Mar. 2024
The supermodel completed her look with a denim patchwork Victoria Beckham midi-skirt that nodded to the noughties.
—Alex Kessler, Vogue, 22 Mar. 2024
The mayor nodded and smiled, but also flinched, as though struck by spittle.
—E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2024
Last year, the park also unveiled a project smaller in scale but just as big of a deal to locals: a miniland version of San Diego, complete with a Petco Park model and nods to iconic landmarks.
—Natallie Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2024
In addition to her four Academy Award nods, Roberts has received three Golden Globes and been nominated for two Emmys.
—Andrew Walsh, EW.com, 23 Mar. 2024
Benjamin Vanhoose, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024
For the latter, Perry flipped her camera around to show herself making a mock surprise face and singing along — seemingly making a not-so-subtle nod to their since put-to-bed feud.
—Ruth Kinane, EW.com, 5 Apr. 2024
But on the whole, the finale is deeply satisfying, including a nod to the character’s long literary and screen history that should be delightful even to the many viewers who won’t get the reference.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 4 Apr. 2024
From nods to pop culture, religion, politics, nature, social issues, and technology, to love, connection, and the human condition, the future of figurative art is vivid and bright.
—Freya Drohan, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2024
The song includes nods to service members lost in the line of duty—a meaningful topic for Keith, a lifelong American patriot and proud supporter of our troops.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2024
There’s also misplaced trust in the entertainment value of squeezing every ounce of shock from the letters (such language!), while counting on knowing nods about what the key message is (female emancipation!).
—Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2024
Alexander said Adas Israel is planning to read the last chapter more quietly this year, in a nod to the discomfort some may feel in hearing it, while having on hand some alternative versions of the text made by a progressive Jewish organization called The Shalom Center.
—Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2024
Both The Batman and The Penguin are considered separate from those plans, and take place in their own universe under the Elseworlds banner — a nod to alternate universe stories in the DC Comics.
—Aaron Couch, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Mar. 2024
Verb
This is the couple’s second James Beard nod after earning a spot last year as semifinalists for Best Chefs: Great Lakes.
—Detroit Free Press, 3 Apr. 2024
Bündchen laughed along with Behar and the audience and couldn't help but nod along about her appearance not changing too much over the past two decades.
—Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 1 Apr. 2024
There was a twist: One team member was a researcher who only pretended to engage in the task, nodding and commenting when appropriate but not really caring about the outcome.
—Quanta Magazine, 28 Mar. 2024
Harris then stopped clapping and instead folded her hands and slightly nodded as the song continued.
—Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 24 Mar. 2024
The supermodel completed her look with a denim patchwork Victoria Beckham midi-skirt that nodded to the noughties.
—Alex Kessler, Vogue, 22 Mar. 2024
The mayor nodded and smiled, but also flinched, as though struck by spittle.
—E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2024
Last year, the park also unveiled a project smaller in scale but just as big of a deal to locals: a miniland version of San Diego, complete with a Petco Park model and nods to iconic landmarks.
—Natallie Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2024
In addition to her four Academy Award nods, Roberts has received three Golden Globes and been nominated for two Emmys.
—Andrew Walsh, EW.com, 23 Mar. 2024
Noun
The outlet reported that Fanning named the animal Goldie, a nod to Russell's longtime partner Goldie Hawn.
—Benjamin Vanhoose, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024
For the latter, Perry flipped her camera around to show herself making a mock surprise face and singing along — seemingly making a not-so-subtle nod to their since put-to-bed feud.
—Ruth Kinane, EW.com, 5 Apr. 2024
But on the whole, the finale is deeply satisfying, including a nod to the character’s long literary and screen history that should be delightful even to the many viewers who won’t get the reference.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 4 Apr. 2024
From nods to pop culture, religion, politics, nature, social issues, and technology, to love, connection, and the human condition, the future of figurative art is vivid and bright.
—Freya Drohan, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2024
The song includes nods to service members lost in the line of duty—a meaningful topic for Keith, a lifelong American patriot and proud supporter of our troops.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2024
There’s also misplaced trust in the entertainment value of squeezing every ounce of shock from the letters (such language!), while counting on knowing nods about what the key message is (female emancipation!).
—Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2024
Alexander said Adas Israel is planning to read the last chapter more quietly this year, in a nod to the discomfort some may feel in hearing it, while having on hand some alternative versions of the text made by a progressive Jewish organization called The Shalom Center.
—Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2024
Both The Batman and The Penguin are considered separate from those plans, and take place in their own universe under the Elseworlds banner — a nod to alternate universe stories in the DC Comics.
—Aaron Couch, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nod.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English nodden; perhaps akin to Old High German hnotōn to shake
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Noun
circa 1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of nod was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing nod
Dictionary Entries Near nod
Cite this Entry
“Nod.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nod. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
nod
1 of 2 verb
nodded; nodding
1
: to bend the head downward or forward (as in bowing or going to sleep or as a way of answering "yes")
2
: to move up and down
the tulips nodded in the breeze
3
: to show by a nod of the head
nod agreement
4
: to let one's attention roam for a moment and make an error
nodder
noun
nod
2 of 2 noun
: the action of nodding
More from Merriam-Webster on nod
Nglish: Translation of nod for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of nod for Arabic Speakers
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