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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Even neutral or well-meaning gestures are perceived as selfish, passive-aggressive or hostile. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025

They can be trained effectively using visual signals like hand gestures, along with touch cues. —Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025

Verb

Walker Mitchell was at bat with two outs and Sebastian Alexander had just stolen second base when Schnall went to the top steps of the dugout, gestured at plate umpire Angel Campos with three fingers and began shouting at him. —Eric Olson, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2025

Bayern Munich's English forward #09 Harry Kane gestures during the Club World Cup 2025 Group C football match between Germany's Bayern Munich and New Zealand's Auckland City at the TQL stadium in Cincinnati on June... —Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 June 2025

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

Rhymes for gesture

• bestir
• vesture

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