gesture

noun ges·ture \ ˈjes-chər , ˈjesh- \

Updated on: 10 Apr 2018

1 archaic : carriage, bearing

2 : a movement usually of the body or limbs that expresses or emphasizes an idea, sentiment, or attitude

raised his hand overhead in a gesture of triumph

3 : the use of motions of the limbs or body as a means of expression

4 : something said or done by way of formality or courtesy, as a symbol or token, or for its effect on the attitudes of others

a political gesture to draw popular support
—V. L. Parrington

See gesture defined for English-language learners

See gesture defined for kids

Examples of gesture in a Sentence

Specific gestures can indicate particular moods.
His arm was raised in a gesture of defiance.

Recent Examples of gesture from the Web

Sunday’s game against UCLA originally was scheduled to be played in Los Angeles, but Bruins coach Jorge Salcedo agreed to move it to Torero Stadium as a goodwill gesture to McFadden in his final season.

— mark zeigler, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Seamus McFadden: USD's ageless soccer wonder," 20 Oct. 2017
Olesik gestures toward the researchers working in the lab.

— jon marcus, The Atlantic, "The Decline of the Midwest's Public Universities Threatens to Wreck Its Most Vibrant Economies," 15 Oct. 2017
Wal-Mart’s buybacks, along with its forecast for a surge in online sales, were hailed as gestures of confidence in its push to fend off competition from Amazon.com Inc. The stock jumped as much as 5.2 percent, the most since May 2016.

— lu wang, Bloomberg.com, "Check Your Inbox, Shareholder. Wal-Mart and Honeywell Are Sending Gifts," 10 Oct. 2017
In recent games, he has been joined by safety Rodney McLeod, and defensive end Chris Long has been placing his arm across Jenkins’ shoulder during the anthem as a gesture of support.

— les bowen, Philly.com, "Eagles' Malcolm Jenkins: Players would expect input in NFL anthem policy," 10 Oct. 2017
In other circumstances and with another president, the mention of the storm might have been interpreted as a gesture of sympathy or a way of drawing attention to humanitarian efforts.

— jonathan s. tobin, National Review, "Playing Politics with the Weather," 3 Oct. 2017
In 1987, American Lynne Cox announced her plans to swim the Bering Strait between the Diomedes as a gesture of global friendship.

— ken jennings, CNT, "Yes, You Can Actually See Russia from Alaska," 18 Sep. 2017
Michelle, with her bold style and gestures, opened up the American notion of beauty and reinvigorated the idea of strength in beauty for women of all ethnicities.

— kate betts, Town & Country, "Supermodel Carolyn Murphy Redefines Her Role," 4 Apr. 2016
Navigating to the Home Screen This is probably the gesture that will take the most getting used to (especially since there's some overlap with the Multitasking View and Control Center).

— tarik fayad, GQ, "iPhone X: How to Use It Now That the Home Button Is Gone," 4 Nov. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gesture.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of gesture

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin gestura mode of action, from Latin gestus, past participle of gerere

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

gesture Synonyms

Synonyms

amenity, attention, civility, courtesy, formality, pleasantry, politeness;

Related Words

honors;

ceremony, observance, rite, ritual;

decorum, etiquette, form, manners, mores, proprieties;

addresses, devoirs, greetings, regards, respects;

favor, grace, kindliness, kindness;

protocol, rules;

gesture

verb

gestured; gesturing

intransitive verb

: to make a gesture (see ¹gesture 2)

transitive verb

: to express or direct by a gesture (see ¹gesture 2)

See gesture defined for English-language learners

Examples of gesture in a Sentence

She gestured towards the fireplace.
He gestured at his audience.
The room was filled with angry people shouting and gesturing.
He gestured to his partner to leave.

Recent Examples of gesture from the Web

Briskman gestures with her middle finger as a motorcade with U.S. President Donald Trump departs Trump National Golf Course October 28, 2017 in Sterling, Virginia.

— natasha bach, Fortune, "That Woman Who Flipped Off President Trump's Motorcade? She's Suing for Getting Fired.," 5 Apr. 2018
The family gestures when whispers are dangerously loud.

— david d’arcy, San Francisco Chronicle, "Emily Blunt speaks about starring in husband John Krasinski’s ‘Quiet Place’," 28 Mar. 2018
Several cars had been squashed down almost completely, with Mendez gesturing to her thigh to show the height of one of them.

— alan gomez, USA TODAY, "Miami bridge collapse rescuers recall chaotic first minutes: 'We need help!'," 16 Mar. 2018
Ronaldo who scored a hattrick in the game was picked up on waving his finger at some supporters, before gesturing for applause by clapping his hands.

— SI.com, "Cristiano Ronaldo Criticises Real Madrid Fans for Booing Karim Benzema," 11 Feb. 2018
There are many people out there—Trump and his diehard supporters, for starters—who are miles away from even so much as gesturing at humility and self-awareness.

— phoebe maltz bovy, New Republic, "The Rise of the Privilege Epiphany," 8 Jan. 2018
Matteo Salvini, head of the League, gesturing during a press conference in Milan on Monday.

— giovanni legorano, WSJ, "Antiestablishment Parties Prevail in Italy but With Differing Tacks," 5 Mar. 2018
Shortly after finishing a shot at the rim Friday during a romp over Nebraska, Simpson kept his shooting arm in the arm and gestured toward Michigan's bench.

— nick baumgardner, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan's Zavier Simpson ready for Cassius Winston, Michigan State," 2 Mar. 2018
The cop can be seen gesturing to the driver, who rolls onto his stomach before his hands are cuffed behind his back.

— breanna edwards, The Root, "2 Georgia Cops Indicted on Multiple Charges in Brutal Beating of Black Man During Traffic Stop," 1 Mar. 2018

Origin and Etymology of gesture

see ¹gesture

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1542

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

See Words from the same year

gesture Synonyms

Synonyms

beckon, flag, motion, signal, wave;

Related Words

nod;

gesticulate, mime, pantomime, sign;

signalize;

acquaint, advise, inform, relate, tell;

flourish, shrug;

GESTURE Defined for English Language Learners

gesture

noun

: a movement of your body (especially of your hands and arms) that shows or emphasizes an idea or a feeling
: something said or done to show a particular feeling or attitude