nodded; nodding
1
: to make a quick downward motion of the head whether deliberately (as in expressing assent or salutation) or involuntarily (as from drowsiness)
She nodded in agreement.
The guard nodded to us as we walked in.
He sat nodding by the fire.
2
: to incline or sway from the vertical as though ready to fall
signposts nodding in the wind
3
: to bend or sway the upper part gently downward or forward : bob gently
the plumes that nodded on his helmet
nodding flowers on long stems
4
: to make a slip or error in a moment of abstraction
… Fuentes nods, and his language then falls into … an overly learned mumbo-jumbo that stops the drama of his action.—
Robert Maurer
Robert Maurer1
: to incline downward or forward
nodded his head in agreement
2
: to bring, invite, or send by a nod
nodded us in
3
: to signify by a nod
nodded their approval
nodder
noun
1
: the act or an instance of nodding
gave a nod of greeting
2
: an indication especially of approval or recognition
Examples of nod in a Sentence
Verb
She nodded when I asked her if she was ready.
I asked her if she could hear me, and she nodded her head.
“The bathroom is around the corner,” he said, nodding to the left.
She nodded toward the dirty dishes and said she would get to them later.
Recent Examples on the Web
Larry Clifton, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 May 2026
The launch of the guacamole coincides with a brand refresh for Tostitos, whose packaging recently underwent a modernized redesign that features nods to corn kernels and cobs tucked into the graphics.
—Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
Shannon Liss-Riordan, who lost against Campbell in a 2022 Democratic primary for AG, would receive the nod if so.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for nod
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Verb
And one host nodding gravely as if a moon rock just offered insight on tax policy.
—Larry Clifton, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 May 2026
The launch of the guacamole coincides with a brand refresh for Tostitos, whose packaging recently underwent a modernized redesign that features nods to corn kernels and cobs tucked into the graphics.
—Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
Noun
The only nod to present-day Kentucky Derby mayhem is the kitschy gift shop, filled with wares for out-of-towners who pop in because some influencer suggested it on TikTok.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
Shannon Liss-Riordan, who lost against Campbell in a 2022 Democratic primary for AG, would receive the nod if so.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for nod
Cite this Entry
“Nod.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nod. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nod
1 of 2 verb
nodded; nodding
1
: to bend the head downward or forward (as in bowing or going to sleep or as a way of answering "yes")
2
: to move up and down
the tulips nodded in the breeze
3
: to show by a nod of the head
nod agreement
4
: to let one's attention roam for a moment and make an error
nodder
noun
nod
2 of 2 noun
: the action of nodding
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