gesture

1 of 2

noun

ges·​ture ˈjes-chər 

ˈjesh-

1

: a movement usually of the body or limbs that expresses or emphasizes an idea, sentiment, or attitude

raised his hand overhead in a gesture of triumph

2

: the use of motions of the limbs or body as a means of expression

3

: something said or done by way of formality or courtesy, as a symbol or token, or for its effect on the attitudes of others

… a political gesture to draw popular support …

—V. L. Parrington

4

archaic : carriage, bearing

gesture

2 of 2

verb

gestured; gesturing

intransitive verb

: to make a gesture (see gesture entry 1 sense 1)

transitive verb

: to express or direct by a gesture (see gesture entry 1 sense 1)

Synonyms of gesture

Noun

• sign
• signal
• posture
• wave
• gesticulation

Verb

• motion
• wave

Examples of gesture in a Sentence

Noun

Specific gestures can indicate particular moods.

His arm was raised in a gesture of defiance.

Verb

She gestured towards the fireplace.

He gestured at his audience.

The room was filled with angry people shouting and gesturing.

He gestured to his partner to leave.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The sweet gesture appeared to be a reference to Swift’s fanbase’s practice of making and trading bracelets at her concerts. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 2 July 2026

Harrison and Oscar then approached the soldiers and thanked them with a simple but powerful gesture. — Ronnie Li, USA Today, 2 July 2026

Verb

Josh asks, gesturing to their current situation of eating dinner atop a yoga mat in the kitchen of their apartment. — Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026

The launch tubes themselves don’t appear to be loaded, but the men carefully adjust the angle of the launcher, gesturing to each other with colored flags. — Avery Schmitz, CNN Money, 24 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin gestura mode of action, from Latin gestus, past participle of gerere

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Verb

1542, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing gesture

• gesture language
• symbolic gesture

Rhymes for gesture

• bestir
• vesture

Kids Definition

gesture

1 of 2 noun

ges·​ture ˈjes-chər 

ˈjesh-

1

: a movement of the body or limbs that expresses or emphasizes an idea or a feeling

2

: something said or done by way of courtesy or for its effect on other people

a political gesture

gesture

2 of 2 verb

gestured; gesturing

: to make or direct with a gesture