American Sign Language
noun
a visual-gesture language, having its own semantic and syntactic structure, used by deaf people in the U.S. and English-speaking parts of Canada. ASL
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American Sign Language
Americannoun
American sign language
British
noun
Etymology
Origin of American Sign Language
First recorded in 1960–65
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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Her father, Joshua Hottle, first shared news of her death in American Sign Language in a tearful video posted to Facebook.
From Barron's ● Jul. 21, 2026
Her father, Joshua Hottle, posted a video statement via Facebook, using American Sign Language to confirm details of her death.
From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026
The children were thriving, learning American Sign Language and unbothered by their deafness.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 23, 2026
Jones is well acquainted with heavy prep work — for “CODA,” she learned American Sign Language to play the only hearing member of the Rossi family and how to fish.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 5, 2025
Ever since I met her, we’ve been communicating primarily through American Sign Language.
From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer
The first hurdle if he ends up staying in Colombia, is that he and his mother will have to learn Colombian sign language, which differs from American sign language.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 18, 2026
Four of those killed belonged to the deaf community, Sauschuck said, asking television cameras to include the American sign language interpreter at the press conference in their frames.
From Reuters ● Oct. 28, 2023
Actress Sandra Mae Frank will perform the national anthem and “America the Beautiful” in American sign language.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 1, 2022
But the school is international baccalaureate certified, offers 29 A.P. courses and has American sign language, which excited Isabella.
From New York Times ● Nov. 27, 2021
A 44-year-old gorilla called Koko has the vocabulary of a three-year-old child after learning 1,000 words of American sign language.
From The Guardian ● Jan. 15, 2016
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