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
Picture those polished marketing campaigns: images of people using wheelchairs, signing in American Sign Language, navigating spaces with service dogs or white canes, or relying on audio screen readers.
—
Bill Schiffmiller, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Visitors will find braille instructional text, tactile maps, and American Sign Language interpretations of media.
—Anna Spiegel, Axios, 21 Oct. 2024
Growing up in a home with two deaf parents, where American Sign Language was her first-language, accessibility has always been top of mind for Gabriella Wong.
—Pauleanna Reid, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
Then the lights went down and the show began with an energetic performance of the musical’s namesake number in American Sign Language and spoken English, with the lyrics projected in bold lettering on the back walls and sets.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for American Sign Language 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Bill Schiffmiller, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Visitors will find braille instructional text, tactile maps, and American Sign Language interpretations of media.
—Anna Spiegel, Axios, 21 Oct. 2024
Growing up in a home with two deaf parents, where American Sign Language was her first-language, accessibility has always been top of mind for Gabriella Wong.
—Pauleanna Reid, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
Then the lights went down and the show began with an energetic performance of the musical’s namesake number in American Sign Language and spoken English, with the lyrics projected in bold lettering on the back walls and sets.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2024
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 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share