gesture

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noun ges·ture \ ˈjes-chər , ˈjesh- \

Definition of gesture

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

What is demonstrated by these responses — and the silence from other council members — is corporate America’s devotion to totally vacuous gestures.

— michael hiltzik, chicagotribune.com, "The question isn't why Merck's boss quit Trump's CEO council; it's why any other CEOs are staying," 15 Aug. 2017
The dishes do not show off, or gesture in the direction of gimmickry.

— julia kramer, Bon Appetit, "Inside Elske, the #2 Best New Restaurant 2017," 15 Aug. 2017
A recent Daily Show supercut shows how Scaramucci even seems to be mimicking Trump’s distinctive hand gestures.

— david a. graham, The Atlantic, "The Fratricidal Fight Inside the White House," 27 July 2017
Future applications might include designing objects for virtual and augmented reality, creating 3D maps of rooms for robot navigation, and designing computer interfaces controlled with hand gestures.

— matthew hutson, Science | AAAS, "Artificial intelligence can turn 2D photos into real-world objects," 27 July 2017
Fashionably stubbled and sporting a crisp white shirt and jeans, the Pakistani designer gestures towards the racks of sumptuous dresses in his Karachi showroom to make his point.

— The Economist, "The elephant in its labyrinthIn the race with its tricky neighbour, India has recently been winning," 22 July 2017
The seal was presented to the ambassador as a peaceful gesture by a delegation from the Young Pioneer Organization of the Soviet Union.

— maya wei-haas, Smithsonian, "You’d Never Have to Plug in This Battery-Free Cell Phone," 20 July 2017
A cease-fire may still be a long way off, but the gesture neatly illustrates how Myanmar, a former military dictatorship that the United States worked hard to press toward democracy, is now depending on China to help solve its problems.

— jane perlez, New York Times, "China Showers Myanmar With Attention, as Trump Looks Elsewhere," 19 July 2017
The gesture is aimed at helping the Kremlin cement its footprint in Syria and to solidify Kadyrov’s standing in the Muslim world.

— nataliya vasilyeva, The Seattle Times, "Chechnya becoming major player in rebuilding war-torn Syria," 18 July 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

See Words from the same year

gesture Synonyms

Synonyms

gesticulation, mime, pantomime, sign, signal

Related Words

beck, beckon, flourish, shrug, wave; body language, posture; indication, motion; sign language

gesture

verb

Definition of gesture

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

Anderson laughs while saying this and gesturing to an Ableton interface on her Hackintosh.

— sam machkovech, Ars Technica, "Experimental rocker EMA talks VR, the Dark Web, and hiding behind screens," 26 Aug. 2017
The ideal TV Spokesmodel knew how to sound almost smart and to seem kind of healthy and normal, all the while gesturing at someone or something far more exciting and more important than herself.

— heather havrilesky, The Cut, "‘I’m Obsessed With the Co-worker I Hooked Up With!’," 23 Aug. 2017
Garlin gestured to Hayley Orrantia, who plays Murray’s daughter, Erica.

— ellen gray, Philly.com, "'Goldbergs' dad Jeff Garlin talks about doubling up with 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' (and with underwear)," 16 Aug. 2017
But the face of David Duke, a former grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, is partly cast in shadow, as if gesturing at the deep darkness from which this virulent brand of American hatred springs.

— clio chang, New Republic, "Charlottesville’s Faces of Hate," 15 Aug. 2017
The network said police think there may a second suspect that the first was gesturing to.

— lisa marie segarra, Time, "Suspect Makes Throat-Slashing Motion Before Fatal Shootings at Florida Resort," 5 Aug. 2017
Mr. Scaramucci said, gesturing at the street outside the White House gates with his eyes shielded from the sun by blue-tinted aviator sunglasses.

— julie hirschfeld davis and maggie haberman, New York Times, "Scaramucci on Leaks: ‘I’m Going to Fire Everybody’," 25 July 2017
Falcone says, gesturing toward tony Park Avenue, 30 floors down.

— matthew campbell, Bloomberg.com, "Phil Falcone Bets on a Casino (Where the Locals Can’t Gamble)," 15 June 2017
On Thursday, Crockett Gillmore left practice early and appeared to gesture to his hamstrings, which have sidelined him for games in the past.

— edward lee, baltimoresun.com, "Injury-riddled Ravens tight end group being counted on to replace Dennis Pitta," 9 June 2017

Origin and Etymology of gesture

see ¹gesture

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1542

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

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noun

Definition of gesture for English Language Learners

: 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

gesture

verb

Definition of gesture for English Language Learners

: to make a gesture : to move your hands, arms, etc., to express an idea or feeling

GESTURE Defined for Kids

gesture

play

noun ges·ture \ ˈjes-chər \

Definition of gesture for Students

1 :a movement of the body (as the hands and arms) that expresses an idea or a feeling

… Tutok rose and made a gesture of farewell.
—Scott O'Dell, Island of the Blue Dolphins

2 :something said or done that shows a particular feeling

He invited her in a gesture of friendship.

gesture

verb

Definition of gesture for Students

gestured; gesturing

:to make or direct with a gesture

I gestured for her to come.

Learn More about gesture

See words that rhyme with gesture Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for gesture Spanish Central: Translation of gesture Nglish: Translation of gesture for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of gesture for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gesture

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gesture

Definition of gesture

Examples of gesture in a Sentence

Recent Examples of gesture from the Web

Origin and Etymology of gesture

gesture Synonyms

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GESTURE Defined for English Language Learners

gesture

Definition of gesture for English Language Learners

gesture

Definition of gesture for English Language Learners

GESTURE Defined for Kids

gesture

Definition of gesture for Students

gesture

Definition of gesture for Students

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