gesticulation

noun

ges·​tic·​u·​la·​tion je-ˌsti-kyə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: the act of making gestures

2

: gesture

especially : an expressive gesture made in showing strong feeling or in enforcing an argument

Synonyms

• gesture
• mime
• pantomime
• sign
• signal

Examples of gesticulation in a Sentence

as the argument grew more heated, his gesticulations got bigger and wilder

Recent Examples on the Web

There was an entire narrative visible through Booster’s active anger in the face of such a decisive gesticulation. —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2024

Every face twitch and arm gesticulation conveys Terry’s complete exasperation with everything and everyone in his world. —Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 23 Jan. 2024

The trick was creating a garment that allowed for Bernstein’s trademark gesticulation but still hung like a traditional coat. —Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Dec. 2023

Twenty-four hours later, Karol is calm (and dry) in a quiet Los Angeles studio, talking with her usual expressiveness and candor in sentences punctuated by crescendos, accents and exclamations and augmented by enthusiastic gesticulations. —Leila Cobo, Billboard, 7 Dec. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1