American Sign Language
noun
: a sign language that is used especially for communication by and with deaf people and is the formal sign language of the United States and English-speaking Canada and also serves as the basis for various sign languages in other countries (such as Thailand, Nigeria, and Bolivia)
—abbreviation ASL
Note: American Sign Language was developed in Hartford, Connecticut in the early 1800s.
Examples of American Sign Language in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
According to The New Yorker, the series is available in more than two dozen languages, including American Sign Language.
—
Kara Nesvig, Parents, 12 Feb. 2025
The Convo app allows users to scan QR codes at locations throughout the subway system and be connected via video call to an American Sign Language interpreter.
—Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2025
Both the Super Bowl pregame entertainment and the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime show featured American Sign Language (ASL) performances.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 9 Feb. 2025
Jazz musician Jon Batiste will perform the national anthem, accompanied in American Sign Language by actress Stephanie Nogueras.
R&B legend Ledisi is set to perform Lift Every Voice and Sing, often referred to as the Black national anthem.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 9 Feb. 2025
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Kara Nesvig, Parents, 12 Feb. 2025
The Convo app allows users to scan QR codes at locations throughout the subway system and be connected via video call to an American Sign Language interpreter.
—Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2025
Both the Super Bowl pregame entertainment and the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime show featured American Sign Language (ASL) performances.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 9 Feb. 2025
Jazz musician Jon Batiste will perform the national anthem, accompanied in American Sign Language by actress Stephanie Nogueras.
R&B legend Ledisi is set to perform Lift Every Voice and Sing, often referred to as the Black national anthem.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 9 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for American Sign Language
Dictionary Entries Near American Sign Language
Cite this Entry
“American Sign Language.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/American%20Sign%20Language. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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