nod

verb

\ ˈnäd

nodded; nodding

Definition of nod

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

transitive verb

1 : 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

nod

noun

Definition of nod (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : the act or an instance of nodding gave a nod of greeting

2 : an indication especially of approval or recognition

Other Words from nod Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about nod

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Synonyms for nod

Synonyms: Verb

bob, bobble, jog, jounce, pump, seesaw, wag

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: Verb

In one scene, the Chinese workers brought to Ohio listen quietly or nod as managers tell them why a union’s a bad idea. — Echo Huang, Quartz at Work, "In Obama’s “American Factory,” Chinese viewers glimpse their own labor problems," 26 Aug. 2019 All that places her near the top of a growing wave of singer-songwriters who nod at classic rockers but really are blasting the likes of Tegan and Sara and Paramore out their car windows. — Washington Post, "12 things to do in the D.C. area this week," 19 Aug. 2019 The child nods yes, sniffles and wipes a tear from her eye. — Mark Curnutte, Cincinnati.com, "4 addresses in 4 months: This is what poverty looks like for this Cincinnati family," 10 July 2019 Or the beef tartare, which nods to tradition while maintaining its own point of view. — Wine Australia, Bon Appétit, "How Three Aussie Gents Brought Australian Café Culture to New York City," 8 July 2019 The teens wore solemn faces throughout the hearing and glanced into the gallery at their family occasionally who nodded in support. — Mckenna Oxenden, baltimoresun.com, "Three remaining teens plead guilty in death of Baltimore County police Officer Amy Caprio," 3 June 2019 Easy to understand for the layman, with enough technical comparisons for the hardcore science enthusiast to nod along to. — Sarah Mupo, STAT, "The 39 best health and science books to read this summer," 25 June 2018 With one juror repeatedly nodding his head, Marcus-Kurn told the jury Vazquez, like the other priests in his order, wore a robe with a rope around it. — Keith L. Alexander, Washington Post, "Catholic priest found guilty of sexually abusing girls at his D.C. parish," 15 Aug. 2019 Her friend, Teresa Santos, sat beside her, nodding her head while her two children, ages 2 and 9, played with toys on the ground in front of her. — Los Angeles Times, "Trump’s new asylum rule strands Central American migrants in Tijuana," 16 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Educators earn nod as debate wraps up Teachers need a raise, some suggest to $60,000. — Staff Report, Houston Chronicle, "'Hell yes, we're going to take your AR-15, your AK-47,' says Beto O'Rourke," 12 Sep. 2019 The Denver native and proud CU Buffalo earned a Pro Bowl nod without much of a target on his back. — Kyle Fredrickson, The Denver Post, "How Broncos’ Phillip Lindsay can grow after breakout rookie season: “My mindset is grind”," 9 Sep. 2019 Gabriel earned the starting nod against FAU this past Saturday because Wimbush wasn’t 100%, according to Heupel. — Matt Murschel, orlandosentinel.com, "UCF QB Darriel Mack Jr. cleared to play, adding to Knights’ options against Stanford," 9 Sep. 2019 Barkley earned five All-Star Game nods during his time with Philly, who went to the playoffs six times during his stint with the team. — Jenna West, SI.com, "Sixers to Unveil Charles Barkley Statue on Legends Walk," 5 Sep. 2019 Fullback Anthony Sherman, who also earned a Pro Bowl nod last year, will be back with the Kansas City Chiefs for his ninth pro season. — Alex Putterman, courant.com, "Huskies in the NFL: 9 former UConn players survive cuts, make 53-man rosters," 2 Sep. 2019 The goalkeepers each had solid seasons a year ago, with Hamm leading the county in save percentage (85.3) and Kappes (127 saves) earning another first-team all-county nod. — Pat Stoetzer, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Fall Sports Previews: 3 things to watch for boys soccer in 2019," 31 Aug. 2019 UMass-Dartmouth: Junior defensive back Jacob Burkhead, who earned an All-MASCAC nod as a sophomore after being named Defensive Rookie of the Year, will captain the Corsairs after a 5-5 season. — Jenna Ciccotelli, BostonGlobe.com, "From AIC to Yale, a quick look at New England college football," 29 Aug. 2019 Senior defensive end Josh Roberts, a three-year starter, was a first-team All-Pac 4 League selection, and senior receiver Brandon Alcaraz earned a second-team nod last year. — Matt Szabo, Daily Pilot, "High School Football Preview: Ocean View turns to senior quarterback Braden Crabtree," 28 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'nod.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.