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

For example, the envelop might note that the holder is not verbal or communicates through sign language. —Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025

As content creators, Robert and Maggie’s goal is to spread awareness about the deaf community and encourage others to learn sign language and treat deaf individuals with the same respect and consideration as anyone else. —Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 23 Aug. 2025

The multi-sensory digital textbooks include features like sign language videos, adjustable font sizes, text-to-speech, words that light up and descriptions of images on each page to help all students engage with the learning material, promoting interactive, more individualized instruction. —Sarah Ferguson, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025

Growing up, McCollum helped look after Preston and was one of the only family members who learned sign language to communicate with her. —Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 9 Aug. 2025

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