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 U.S. 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
But even this caricature is more than what’s afforded to Zoe (Iris Apatow) and her Deaf sister Chloe (Millicent Simmonds), whose collective function is the former interpreting for the latter in American Sign Language, but little else.
—
Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026
According to De Bremaeker, Gutierrez Rodriguez has been learning American Sign Language, or ASL, alongside Joseph in order to communicate with him, but neither has the ASL vocabulary to explain or understand what has happened to them.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026
There is an opportunity to learn American Sign Language connect with tutors in language arts and math.
—Andrea Manes, Oc Register, 26 Feb. 2026
Joining him on the field will be Fred Beam, who will perform the anthem in American Sign Language (ASL).
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Feb. 2026
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Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026
According to De Bremaeker, Gutierrez Rodriguez has been learning American Sign Language, or ASL, alongside Joseph in order to communicate with him, but neither has the ASL vocabulary to explain or understand what has happened to them.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026
There is an opportunity to learn American Sign Language connect with tutors in language arts and math.
—Andrea Manes, Oc Register, 26 Feb. 2026
Joining him on the field will be Fred Beam, who will perform the anthem in American Sign Language (ASL).
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for 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 Mar. 2026.
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