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American Sign Language
American Sign Languagenouna 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
American Sign Language
Americannoun
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.
See Examples For:
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
Both films are subtitled and in American Sign Language, turning the table on hearing viewers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 10, 2025
Ever since I met her, we’ve been communicating primarily through American Sign Language.
From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer
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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
Actor Daniel Durant will perform the national anthem in American sign language.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 18, 2024
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
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
No new studies are starting, and the chimpanzees and orangutans taught American sign language in the 70s are nearing the end of their lives.
From The Guardian ● Jun. 14, 2016
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.