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
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Jazz musician Jon Batiste will perform the national anthem, accompanied in American Sign Language by actress Stephanie Nogueras. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025 Several stars have been seen walking the red carpet side by side with American Sign Language interpreters: Victoria Monet, Paris Hilton, Ceelo Green and Cynthia Erivo. Rebecca Cohen, NBC News, 3 Feb. 2025 His Super Bowl performance will be accompanied in American Sign Language (ASL) by the actress Stephanie Nogueras. 04 of 06 Ledisi Like Batiste, R&B mainstay and Grammy-winning singer Ledisi was born and raised in New Orleans. Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 26 Jan. 2025 In shifting between captioning and interpretation, between American Sign Language and spoken word, Matlin and her director make clear the fluid ways that deaf people move through a world. Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for American Sign Language 

Word History

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of American Sign Language was in 1900

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 11 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

American Sign Language

noun
: a sign language for the deaf

More from Merriam-Webster on American Sign Language

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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