nod

¹ American  

[nod] / nɒd /

verb (used without object)

nodded, nodding

1. to make a slight, quick downward bending forward of the head, as in assent, greeting, or command.

2. to let the head fall slightly forward with a sudden, involuntary movement when sleepy.

3. to doze, especially in a sitting position.

   The speaker was so boring that half the audience was nodding.

   Synonyms:

   drowse

4. to become careless, inattentive, or listless; make an error or mistake through lack of attention.

5. (of trees, flowers, plumes, etc.) to droop, bend, or incline with a swaying motion.

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verb (used with object)

nodded, nodding

1. to bend (the head) in a short, quick downward movement, as of assent or greeting.

2. to express or signify by such a movement of the head.

   to nod approval; to nod agreement.

3. to summon, bring, or send by a nod of the head.

4. to cause (something) to lean or sway; incline.

noun

1. a short, quick downward bending forward of the head, as in assent, greeting, or command, or because of drowsiness.

2. a brief period of sleep; nap.

3. a bending or swaying movement.

4. a gesture or action indicating that someone or something has been approved, selected, recognized, etc..

   The domed ceiling is a nod to traditional library reading rooms.

5. a nomination, as for an office or award: The film has received critical praise and two Oscar nods.

   It looks like he’s locked up the party’s nod for governor.

   The film has received critical praise and two Oscar nods.

verb phrase

1. nod out  to fall asleep, especially owing to the effects of a drug.

2. nod off  to fall asleep or doze, especially in a sitting position.

   He was reprimanded for nodding off in class.

idioms

1. on the nod,

   1. British Slang.  on credit.

   2. Slang.  drowsy following a dose of a narcotic drug.

2. get the nod,  to get approval; be selected, recognized, etc.: He got the nod as starting pitcher for the Phillies.

   We’ve gotten the nod from the administration to hire two assistant professors.

   He got the nod as starting pitcher for the Phillies.

3. give the nod,  to give an indication of approval, recognition, etc.: It wasn’t till May that the company was given the nod to schedule the event.

   The board gave the nod to the new proposal.

   It wasn’t till May that the company was given the nod to schedule the event.

Nod ² American  

[nod] / nɒd /

noun

1. (in the Bible) the land east of Eden where Cain went to dwell.

2. land of Nod.

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nod British  

/ nɒd /

verb

1. to lower and raise (the head) briefly, as to indicate agreement, invitation, etc

2. (tr) to express or indicate by nodding

   she nodded approval

3. (tr) to bring or direct by nodding

   she nodded me towards the manager's office

4. (intr) (of flowers, trees, etc) to sway or bend forwards and back

5. (intr) to let the head fall forward through drowsiness; be almost asleep

   the old lady sat nodding by the fire

6. (intr) to be momentarily inattentive or careless

   even Homer sometimes nods

7. a slight, casual, or superficial knowledge (of a subject or a person)

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noun

1. a quick down-and-up movement of the head, as in assent, command, etc

   she greeted him with a nod

2. a short sleep; nap See also land of Nod

3. a swaying motion, as of flowers, etc, in the wind

4. informal

   1. agreed, as in a committee meeting, without any formal procedure

   2. (formerly) on credit

5. informal  boxing the award of a contest to a competitor on the basis of points scored

nod More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing nod

• get the nod

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Other Word Forms

• nodder noun
• nodding adjective
• noddingly adverb
• unnodding adjective

Etymology

Origin of nod¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English nodde, of uncertain origin

Origin of Nod¹

Ultimately from Hebrew Nōdh “wandering”

Example Sentences

And though nods in the big three mainstream categories didn’t materialize, that wasn’t a total surprise for an LP so meticulous about playing with classic Latin genres.

From Los Angeles Times

"Twenty years of Afghan-US partnership must not be forgotten," the coalition's statement said, nodding to the two-decade effort launched by the US in 2001 to overthrow Afghanistan's Taliban rulers and establish security in the country.

From BBC

"It'll go down well with the PLP," one minister told me, referring to the Parliamentary Labour Party, knowingly nodding to the prospect that a wider audience around the country may be more sceptical.

From BBC

Look forward to a Tiffany “I Think We’re Alone Now” moment, nods to great bands like the Fall, and a well-timed mention of a flux capacitor.

From Los Angeles Times

In a nod to farmers' challenges, the government is considering aid for the sector hit by low crop prices and a trade row with Beijing this year.

From Barron's

Related Words

• acknowledge
• bend
• bow
• greet
• respond
• salute