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
Guy Lodge, Variety, 17 May 2025
In fact, in a moving gesture, Leo offered to continue the blessing that the late Pope Francis started from the same balcony the day before his death.
—Raúl E. Zegarra, Time, 17 May 2025
Shelby Stewart, Essence, 15 Apr. 2025
Full denuclearization, as Trump has gestured at, is too much to expect.
—Rose Gottemoeller, Foreign Affairs, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gesture
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Rather, there’s a mutually healing trajectory to this strange, secretive summer of playing house, and Petzold observes its gradual onset in fine details of gesture, expression and domestic routine — and its lapses when people fall intermittently out of character.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 17 May 2025
In fact, in a moving gesture, Leo offered to continue the blessing that the late Pope Francis started from the same balcony the day before his death.
—Raúl E. Zegarra, Time, 17 May 2025
Verb
Curated with care, the lineup honored the past, spotlighted the present, and gestured toward the future.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 15 Apr. 2025
Full denuclearization, as Trump has gestured at, is too much to expect.
—Rose Gottemoeller, Foreign Affairs, 15 Apr. 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 20 May. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share