sign language

noun

1
: any of various formal languages employing a system of hand gestures and their placement relative to the upper body, facial expressions, body postures, and finger spelling especially for communication by and with deaf people
But true sign languages are in fact complete in themselves: their syntax, grammar, and semantics are complete, but they have a different character from that of any spoken or written language.Oliver Sacks
Sign language relies mainly on the signer's hand, but facial expressions and body movements are also important.Mark Prigg
2
: an unsystematic method of communicating chiefly by manual gestures (as by people speaking different languages)
I decided to cadge a lift from a Lebanese who only spoke Arabic, so we had to converse in sign language.Robert Fox

Examples of sign language in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web It will be displayed as a unique title in-app and can be identified by its key art with the sign language symbol. Caroline Brew, Variety, 21 Feb. 2024 For people with disabilities, inclusivity includes making websites screen reader friendly, providing sign language interpretation at events and creating more accessible venues. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024 Things get trickier, however, when attempting to examine a sign language’s evolution. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 1 Feb. 2024 Actor Daniel Durant will perform the national anthem in American sign language. Jonathan Landrum Jr., USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2024 His hearing father learned sign language to communicate with Kotsur, then later became paralyzed in a drunk driving accident; Kotsur and his father developed a new, unique way form of sign language with one another that was all their own. Jaden Thompson, Variety, 3 Nov. 2023 Post’s performance was accompanied by it being performed in American sign language by model-dancer Anjel Piñero. Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2024 For the mother of Mr. Rivera, the man detained for using sign language, just thinking about this weekend’s vote has her on the verge of tears. Whitney Eulich, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Feb. 2024 From Facebook, a look at a high school football player using sign language during the national anthem. Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sign language.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sign language was in 1824

Dictionary Entries Near sign language

Cite this Entry

“Sign language.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sign%20language. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sign language

noun
1
: a formal language using a system of hand movements for communication (as by the deaf)
2
: a way of communicating mainly by hand and arm movements as often used by people speaking different languages

Medical Definition

sign language

noun
: any of various formal languages employing a system of hand gestures and their placement relative to the upper body, facial expressions, body postures, and finger spelling especially for communication by and with deaf people
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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