hand signal
Americannoun
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any gesture, usually prearranged, made with the hand in order to convey a message.
They communicated only with hand signals in order to maintain complete silence as they stalked the enemy.
There are many ways of indicating whose turn it is to speak, including the use of a hand signal by the leader, or a feather passed around the group.
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a conventional sign or motion made with the hand or arm, especially one of a set of such motions used by cyclists and drivers to indicate they are stopping, slowing, or turning left or right.
Using the correct hand signal will help other cyclists, drivers, and pedestrians know what you will be doing next.
If your vehicle’s turn signals are not working, use hand signals.
Etymology
Origin of hand signal
First recorded in 1835–45
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.
A missing 16-year-old girl was rescued in 2021 after using the hand signal from inside a car in Kentucky.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2025
In a short video posted on X, Lissu was seen along with other party members flashing a V-for-victory hand signal, which is regularly used by CHADEMA.
From Reuters ● Sep. 11, 2023
They weekly honk their horns and wave in response to my two young daughters’ “honk please” hand signal.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 4, 2022
The “OK” hand signal is no longer OK at the University of Nebraska.
From Washington Times ● Jan. 30, 2022
Tanisha and Mrs. Bennet wave at me and throw me a good-luck hand signal.
From "Like Vanessa" by Tami Charles
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.
