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
V. L. Parrington
gestured; gesturing
: to make a gesture (see gesture entry 1 sense 1)
: to express or direct by a gesture (see gesture entry 1 sense 1)
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
Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 18 Mar. 2025
Israel's spy agency lists failures in preventing Oct. 7 attack
Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim said in a statement the group would release Alexander, who is alive, and the bodies of four dual nationals as an initial gesture.
—Aya Batrawy, NPR, 17 Mar. 2025
Michael Rios, CNN, 18 Mar. 2025
The video started with Earle smiling and gesturing a lasso motion while the song played its catchy chorus.
—Skyler Caruso, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gesture
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show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
These range from coral restoration in Jamaica to water catchments for schools in Grenada and marine conservation education in
Antigua—and even seemingly small gestures that can have a big impact, like supplying technology to an elementary school in the Bahamas.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 18 Mar. 2025
Israel's spy agency lists failures in preventing Oct. 7 attack
Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim said in a statement the group would release Alexander, who is alive, and the bodies of four dual nationals as an initial gesture.
—Aya Batrawy, NPR, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
The people on board the helicopter gestured to him that another boat would arrive soon to take him home.
—Michael Rios, CNN, 18 Mar. 2025
The video started with Earle smiling and gesturing a lasso motion while the song played its catchy chorus.
—Skyler Caruso, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gesture
Cite this Entry
“Gesture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gesture. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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