sign language

noun

1

: any of various formal languages employing a system of hand gestures and their placement relative to the upper body, facial expressions, body postures, and finger spelling especially for communication by and with deaf people

But true sign languages are in fact complete in themselves: their syntax, grammar, and semantics are complete, but they have a different character from that of any spoken or written language.

—Oliver Sacks

Sign language relies mainly on the signer's hand, but facial expressions and body movements are also important.

—Mark Prigg

2

: an unsystematic method of communicating chiefly by manual gestures (as by people speaking different languages)

I decided to cadge a lift from a Lebanese who only spoke Arabic, so we had to converse in sign language.

—Robert Fox

Examples of sign language in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Retreat shows different types of sign languages, but the focus is British Sign Language (BSL). — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2026

The project originated with Emirati writer and editor Ayesha Alameri, whose brother is deaf and whose family uses sign language at home. — Essie Assibu, Variety, 30 Oct. 2026

In Uganda a new tour operator is taking travelers on safari largely in silence, telling the story of East Africa and its wildlife using sign language. — Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026

Anyway, after the moment of silence, the crowd was directed to both a sign language and guitar solo interpretation of the national anthem. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sign language

• interlanguage
• metalanguage

Kids Definition

sign language

noun

1

: a formal language using a system of hand movements for communication (as by the deaf)

2

: a way of communicating mainly by hand and arm movements as often used by people speaking different languages

Medical Definition

sign language

noun

: any of various formal languages employing a system of hand gestures and their placement relative to the upper body, facial expressions, body postures, and finger spelling especially for communication by and with deaf people