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
V. L. Parrington
gestured; gesturing
: to make a gesture (see gesture entry 1 sense 1)
: to express or direct by a gesture (see gesture entry 1 sense 1)
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
Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2025
Those diplomatic gestures, along with his success in attracting foreign investment, won Vučić international praise as an effective reformer.
—Hanna Begić, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2025
Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
The judge gestured at Lindor to take a seat in one of the courtroom’s wooden pew benches.
—Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gesture
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Noun
Its intuitive interface allows for operation with minimal training, either through direct hand gestures or semi-autonomous navigation during transport between deployment sites.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2025
Those diplomatic gestures, along with his success in attracting foreign investment, won Vučić international praise as an effective reformer.
—Hanna Begić, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
The Atletico head coach appeared to gesture to the stands while walking towards the fourth official, before being shown a red card by referee Maurizio Mariani.
—Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
The judge gestured at Lindor to take a seat in one of the courtroom’s wooden pew benches.
—Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gesture
Cite this Entry
“Gesture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gesture. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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