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
Oliver SacksSign language relies mainly on the signer's hand, but facial expressions and body movements are also important.—Mark Prigg
Mark Prigg2
: 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
Robert FoxExamples of sign language in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Thanks to her knowledge of sign language, Porter was also able to help the oldest of the siblings, who couldn't speak due to the way cerebral palsy affected the muscles of her mouth.
—David Chiu, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026
This year’s winners, Samuel Nagel and Paul Feiler, developed a wearable that translates the sign language into text, which is displayed on a screen that non-signers can read.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 15 May 2026
There was also the sign language with Kimiko, and the connection.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
Another adjustment on set was with his daughter played by Toscano tending to follow his hands as Insolera communicated using sign language, rather than look into his eyes.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sign language
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David Chiu, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026
This year’s winners, Samuel Nagel and Paul Feiler, developed a wearable that translates the sign language into text, which is displayed on a screen that non-signers can read.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 15 May 2026
There was also the sign language with Kimiko, and the connection.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
Another adjustment on set was with his daughter played by Toscano tending to follow his hands as Insolera communicated using sign language, rather than look into his eyes.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sign language
Cite this Entry
“Sign language.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sign%20language. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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