American Sign Language
noun
: a sign language that is used especially for communication by and with deaf people and is the formal sign language of the United States and English-speaking Canada and also serves as the basis for various sign languages in other countries (such as Thailand, Nigeria, and Bolivia)
—abbreviation ASL
Note: American Sign Language was developed in Hartford, Connecticut in the early 1800s.
Examples of American Sign Language in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Zoe’s first language was ASL (American Sign Language).
—
Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 31 Aug. 2025
The event was interpreted in American Sign Language by Durant’s childhood interpreter Doug Boen-Bailey, and officiated by the artistic director of Deaf West Theatre, David Kurs.
—Emlyn Travis Updated, EW.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Promova offers training in 12 languages, including Spanish, French, Chinese, Korean and American Sign Language, with role-play chatbots, a dedicated mode for people with dyslexia and other accessibility options for neurodivergent learners.
—Aman Kidwai, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
Police said Osborn has no teeth, and is deaf and communicates through American Sign Language.
—Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for American Sign Language
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Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 31 Aug. 2025
The event was interpreted in American Sign Language by Durant’s childhood interpreter Doug Boen-Bailey, and officiated by the artistic director of Deaf West Theatre, David Kurs.
—Emlyn Travis Updated, EW.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Promova offers training in 12 languages, including Spanish, French, Chinese, Korean and American Sign Language, with role-play chatbots, a dedicated mode for people with dyslexia and other accessibility options for neurodivergent learners.
—Aman Kidwai, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
Police said Osborn has no teeth, and is deaf and communicates through American Sign Language.
—Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for American Sign Language
Cite this Entry
“American Sign Language.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/American%20Sign%20Language. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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