gesture

[ jes-cher ]

/ ˈdʒɛs tʃər /

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See synonyms for: gesture / gestured / gestures / gesturing on Thesaurus.com

noun

a movement or position of the hand, arm, body, head, or face that is expressive of an idea, opinion, emotion, etc.: the gestures of an orator; a threatening gesture.

the use of such movements to express thought, emotion, etc.

any action, courtesy, communication, etc., intended for effect or as a formality; considered expression; demonstration: a gesture of friendship.

Digital Technology. a particular movement of the body, typically the fingers or hand, used to control or interact with a digital device (often used attributively): a gesture command;Use a two-finger pinching gesture on your touchscreen to zoom in or out.

verb (used without object), ges·tured, ges·tur·ing.

to make or use a gesture or gestures.

verb (used with object), ges·tured, ges·tur·ing.

to express by a gesture or gestures.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of gesture

1375–1425; late Middle English <Medieval Latin gestūra mode of action, manner, bearing, equivalent to Latin gest(us) past participle of gerere to bear, carry on, perform + ūra-ure

OTHER WORDS FROM gesture

ges·tur·al, adjectiveges·tur·er, nounun·ges·tur·al, adjectiveun·ges·tur·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use gesture in a sentence

Haar said she is blown away by the support, which started from a spontaneous but profoundly significant gesture from a Starbucks barista — a total stranger, who rapidly became a dear friend.
It started as a spontaneous pep talk. Then this Starbucks barista became a lifeline for a boy with cancer.|Sydney Page|December 11, 2020|Washington Post
Executed in soft shapes and gestures, sometimes over stenciled images, the drawings are elegant and lovely.
In the galleries: Where artists engage with the earth|Mark Jenkins|December 4, 2020|Washington Post
His team has already shown it is possible to figure out entire hand gestures from a device worn on the wrist.
New device tells smiles from frowns — even through a mask|Kathryn Hulick|December 4, 2020|Science News For Students
In its economy, autofictional methods and gestures at untold trauma, “Rest and Be Thankful” recalls Claire-Louise Bennett’s “Pond,” an Irish novella which found an eager American audience in 2016.
Emma Glass’s ‘Rest and Be Thankful’ powerfully describes what it means to be a health-care worker|Pete Tosiello|December 2, 2020|Washington Post

As for reports that the new thermostat would contain gesture controls that would allow people to change settings by moving their hands, Desai said “there is no gesture control” on the new device.
Google’s new Nest Thermostat is geared toward smart-home newbies|jonathanvanian2015|October 12, 2020|Fortune
He subtly gestured toward the direction of the camera pointed at their house.
The Life and Hard Times Of The Family A Cuban Defector Left Behind|Brin-Jonathan Butler|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When we nodded, she broke into a wide grin, gestured with two thumbs up, and finished off with a high-five.
Going Back to Vietnam Is Sometimes Amusing, Often Fraught, and Always Surreal|Jeff Greenfield|March 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And he gestured toward ideas—straightforward cash payments and an end to means-testing—that would sit well with liberals.
Paul Ryan’s Proposed War on Poverty Is Hobbled by Conservative Ideology|Jamelle Bouie|January 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He gestured for everyone to look down into a little vale that opened up to the side of their path.
Benjamin Franklin, America’s First Storm Chaser|Lee Sandlin|April 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Sulaiman gestured with his freed hands to the lawyers seated on either side of him.
Bin Laden’s Son-in-Law Is Arraigned Just Blocks From the Twin Towers|Michael Daly|March 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The Briton, holding the documents in a pudgy hand, looked at the swift-gestured director with portentous solemnity.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
He gestured with his arm to the valley below where a cool stream of water dashed over rocks on its way to join a bigger tributary.
The Adventure Girls at K Bar O|Clair Blank
He gestured to Mandleco, who finally took the hint and escorted the visitors into the privacy of the office.
We're Friends, Now|Henry Hasse
I glanced at Carna, she gestured toward the open gate in the wall, and smiled a daring word.
Valley of the Croen|Lee Tarbell
Perhaps he bowed lower and smiled oftener and gestured more gracefully than Americans are apt to do.
Overland|John William De Forest

British Dictionary definitions for gesture

gesture

/ (ˈdʒɛstʃə) /

noun

a motion of the hands, head, or body to emphasize an idea or emotion, esp while speaking

something said or done as a formality or as an indication of intentiona political gesture

obsolete the manner in which a person bears himself; posture

verb

to express by or make gestures; gesticulate

Derived forms of gesture

gestural, adjectivegesturer, noun

Word Origin for gesture

C15: from Medieval Latin gestūra bearing, from Latin gestus, past participle of gerere to bear

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

gesture

Origin of gesture

OTHER WORDS FROM gesture

Words related to gesture

How to use gesture in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for gesture

Derived forms of gesture

Word Origin for gesture