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
Steve Gorten, Miami Herald, 24 June 2025
The day before their anniversary, the couple attended the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards together in Santa Monica, Calif. — and Annon appeared to nod to the couple’s milestone in a white dress.
—Bailey Richards, People.com, 23 June 2025
Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 25 June 2025
Known as Slide Job Ranch, the roughly 140-acre spread blends equestrian grandeur with high-octane heritage, a nod to its string of motorsports legends, including former owners Ernie Irvan and Joe Nemechek.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for nod
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.
Verb
Acuña nodded in approval and pointed toward Sanoja, saluting the defensive wizardry.
—Steve Gorten, Miami Herald, 24 June 2025
The day before their anniversary, the couple attended the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards together in Santa Monica, Calif. — and Annon appeared to nod to the couple’s milestone in a white dress.
—Bailey Richards, People.com, 23 June 2025
Noun
The cryptic introduction is a subtle nod to the bartenders that the patron is about to order one of four drinks from the Burning Blade secret menu.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 25 June 2025
Known as Slide Job Ranch, the roughly 140-acre spread blends equestrian grandeur with high-octane heritage, a nod to its string of motorsports legends, including former owners Ernie Irvan and Joe Nemechek.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for nod
Cite this Entry
“Nod.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nod. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share