nodded; nodding
1
: to make a quick downward motion of the head whether deliberately (as in expressing assent or salutation) or involuntarily (as from drowsiness)
She nodded in agreement.
The guard nodded to us as we walked in.
He sat nodding by the fire.
2
: to incline or sway from the vertical as though ready to fall
signposts nodding in the wind
3
: to bend or sway the upper part gently downward or forward : bob gently
the plumes that nodded on his helmet
nodding flowers on long stems
4
: to make a slip or error in a moment of abstraction
… Fuentes nods, and his language then falls into … an overly learned mumbo-jumbo that stops the drama of his action.—
Robert Maurer
Robert Maurer1
: to incline downward or forward
nodded his head in agreement
2
: to bring, invite, or send by a nod
nodded us in
3
: to signify by a nod
nodded their approval
nodder
noun
1
: the act or an instance of nodding
gave a nod of greeting
2
: an indication especially of approval or recognition
Examples of nod in a Sentence
Verb
She nodded when I asked her if she was ready.
I asked her if she could hear me, and she nodded her head.
“The bathroom is around the corner,” he said, nodding to the left.
She nodded toward the dirty dishes and said she would get to them later.
Recent Examples on the Web
Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Apr. 2026
Located in the Marais, a few blocks from the Seine, the name nods not to Cardinal Mazarin himself but to the literary salons of his era, when the great thinkers, performers, and artists of 17th-century Paris gathered in lavish settings.
—Lindsey Tramuta, Robb Report, 2 Apr. 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2026
And, of course, there are plenty of custom ceramic elements in a nod to Clase Azul’s decanters, along with touches of the brand’s signature blue hue and art galore.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nod
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.
Verb
This mint julep recipe nods to that tradition while adding a subtle citrus lift.
—Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Apr. 2026
Located in the Marais, a few blocks from the Seine, the name nods not to Cardinal Mazarin himself but to the literary salons of his era, when the great thinkers, performers, and artists of 17th-century Paris gathered in lavish settings.
—Lindsey Tramuta, Robb Report, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
The lobby itself channels an open veranda (a nod to Charleston’s plethora of breeze-catching porches), with gauzy drapes, silent ceiling fans, and even a hanging swing.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2026
And, of course, there are plenty of custom ceramic elements in a nod to Clase Azul’s decanters, along with touches of the brand’s signature blue hue and art galore.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nod
Cite this Entry
“Nod.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nod. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nod
1 of 2 verb
nodded; nodding
1
: to bend the head downward or forward (as in bowing or going to sleep or as a way of answering "yes")
2
: to move up and down
the tulips nodded in the breeze
3
: to show by a nod of the head
nod agreement
4
: to let one's attention roam for a moment and make an error
nodder
noun
nod
2 of 2 noun
: the action of nodding
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
