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
Before visiting, guests can download the KSC SmartGuide app, which also features video content with American Sign Language (ASL) translations.
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Mariette Williams, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
Deafblind youths need specific skills early in life — learning how to use American Sign Language and assistive technology, for example — to prevent language deprivation.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Microsoft has customer support in American Sign Language by video call.
—PC Magazine, 22 Sep. 2025
Friday’s list, beyond Death, Grief and Bereavement, included talks on the basics of American Sign Language and autism spectrum distorders.
—Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for American Sign Language
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Mariette Williams, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
Deafblind youths need specific skills early in life — learning how to use American Sign Language and assistive technology, for example — to prevent language deprivation.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Microsoft has customer support in American Sign Language by video call.
—PC Magazine, 22 Sep. 2025
Friday’s list, beyond Death, Grief and Bereavement, included talks on the basics of American Sign Language and autism spectrum distorders.
—Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 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 4 Nov. 2025.
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