gesture

1 of 2

noun

ges·​ture ˈjes-chər 

ˈjesh-

1

: 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

2

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

3

: 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

4

archaic : carriage, bearing

gesture

2 of 2

verb

gestured; gesturing

intransitive verb

: to make a gesture (see gesture entry 1 sense 1)

transitive verb

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

Synonyms

Noun

• gesticulation
• mime
• pantomime
• sign
• signal

Verb

• beckon
• flag
• motion
• signal
• wave

Examples of gesture in a Sentence

Noun

Specific gestures can indicate particular moods.

His arm was raised in a gesture of defiance.

Verb

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.

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Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Nearly all the elements in the spare, looping display are abstract, reducing the human body to a gesture, a memory, a presence more spiritual than physical. —Vince Aletti, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2023

Savino made a half-joking face palm gesture when asked about Bona’s struggles. —Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2023

Show Appreciation All Year While holiday gestures are important, consistent appreciation throughout the year is even more crucial. —Curt Steinhorst, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023

On Father's Day, just before their 2020 wedding, Samantha made a special gesture to celebrate their impending union. —Nasha Smith, Peoplemag, 28 Nov. 2023

This camera can also be used to detect gestures—just hold your palm up at the camera to pause music. —Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 27 Nov. 2023

The execs chuckled at the gesture but refused to put on the T-shirts, leaving only Friedman and Ullman to wear them. —Luisa Beltran, Fortune, 27 Nov. 2023

Learn how to set up the double tap gesture on your phone and watch here. —Kurt Knutsson, Fox News, 23 Nov. 2023

The survey results show that participants perceived the approach using hand gestures to be faster but also a bit more mentally taxing to use and slightly less accurate than selecting from the menu. —IEEE Spectrum, 22 Nov. 2023

Verb

In the lobby of the Inland Valley Humane Society & SPCA shelter in Pomona, Nikole Bresciani gestured toward rows of kennels erected a few months ago to house an influx of stray cats. —Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2023

But regardless of the outcome, the accusations leveled via the cases gesture to themes that have defined the latest chapter in crypto’s short history: chicanery and profiteering, concealed by a veneer of decentralization. —Joel Khalili, WIRED, 22 Nov. 2023

Granted, the New Jersey and Virginia results do seem to gesture in the right general direction. —Nathaniel Rakich, ABC News, 16 Nov. 2023

Parker gestured toward Bill McKinney, of New Kensington Community Development Corporation, and Casey O’Donnell, of Impact Services. —Eliza Griswold, The New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2023

And attendees broadly agreed that engagement would need to address core issues and not just gesture at jobs. —Justin Worland, TIME, 23 Oct. 2023

Nelles asked, gesturing to the grandstanding of the Republican hard-liners who triggered McCarthy’s ouster. —Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 6 Oct. 2023

When Pinkerton is not in a scene, the singer who plays him often hovers to the side, gesturing and twitching in an indolent trance. —Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2023

Alicia gestured wildly at Fred to turn down the TV. —Eli Hager, ProPublica, 16 Oct. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

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

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Verb

1542, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing gesture

• gesture language
• symbolic gesture

• gesture language
• symbolic gesture

Kids Definition

gesture

1 of 2 noun

ges·​ture ˈjes-chər 

ˈjesh-

1

: a movement of the body or limbs that expresses or emphasizes an idea or a feeling

2

: something said or done by way of courtesy or for its effect on other people

a political gesture

gesture

2 of 2 verb

gestured; gesturing

: to make or direct with a gesture