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 Web
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 9 May 2026
My favorite part is infamous flopper LeBron James standing there nodding in approval at everything an irate Austin Reaves is saying like an approving father figure.
—Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026
Deciding to create a performance inspired by the true diva was a reverant nod to Houston’s ties to the New York Liberty, which go way back to another major milestone for the team and the WNBA.
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for nod
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Verb
The horse’s success helped stoke DeVaux’s reputation as an up-and-comer and when people pointed to a female trainer who might break the barrier, plenty nodded at DeVaux.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 9 May 2026
My favorite part is infamous flopper LeBron James standing there nodding in approval at everything an irate Austin Reaves is saying like an approving father figure.
—Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
Noun
Beyond the subtle nod to the Apple TV show, Carden, 46, recently talked to PEOPLE about Cola's surprising habit of raw-dogging her flights.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026
Deciding to create a performance inspired by the true diva was a reverant nod to Houston’s ties to the New York Liberty, which go way back to another major milestone for the team and the WNBA.
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for nod
Cite this Entry
“Nod.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nod. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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