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)
Synonyms
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
Ryan Fleming, Deadline, 22 Nov. 2024
The coda consists of thirty-five triple-forte bars in the key of D major, anchored on grandiloquent, fanfare-like gestures in the brass.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024
After all, the average Joe may not really need to use his left shoulder, except maybe to gesture dramatically on a date or at the office water cooler.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for gesture 
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.
Noun
Every blink, hand gesture and slight facial expression needs to be accounted for.
—Ryan Fleming, Deadline, 22 Nov. 2024
The coda consists of thirty-five triple-forte bars in the key of D major, anchored on grandiloquent, fanfare-like gestures in the brass.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
But The Diplomat does a lot more gesturing to Wyler’s prowess than actually showing it.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024
After all, the average Joe may not really need to use his left shoulder, except maybe to gesture dramatically on a date or at the office water cooler.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for gesture
Dictionary Entries Near gesture
Cite this Entry
“Gesture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gesture. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share