American Sign Language

noun

1. 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

American sign language

noun

1. See Ameslan

Word History and Origins

Origin of American Sign Language¹

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

Ever since I met her, we’ve been communicating primarily through American Sign Language.

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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.

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In a statement, an unidentified senior Department of Homeland Security official said medical staff provided Diaz “with a communications board and an American Sign Language interpreter.”

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“I was shocked at what was happening to me,” Diaz said through an American Sign Language interpreter.

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“Such information must be provided not only through captioning but also in American Sign Language.”

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Related Words

• ASL 
• Ameslan