nod

[ nod ]

/ nɒd /

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verb (used without object), nod·ded, nod·ding.

to make a slight, quick downward bending forward of the head, as in assent, greeting, or command.

to let the head fall slightly forward with a sudden, involuntary movement when sleepy.

to doze, especially in a sitting position: The speaker was so boring that half the audience was nodding.

to become careless, inattentive, or listless; make an error or mistake through lack of attention.

(of trees, flowers, plumes, etc.) to droop, bend, or incline with a swaying motion.

verb (used with object), nod·ded, nod·ding.

to bend (the head) in a short, quick downward movement, as of assent or greeting.

to express or signify by such a movement of the head: to nod approval; to nod agreement.

to summon, bring, or send by a nod of the head.

to cause (something) to lean or sway; incline.

noun

a short, quick downward bending forward of the head, as in assent, greeting, or command, or because of drowsiness.

a brief period of sleep; nap.

a bending or swaying movement.

a gesture or action indicating that someone or something has been approved, selected, recognized, etc.: The domed ceiling is a nod to traditional library reading rooms.

a nomination, as for an office or award: It looks like he’s locked up the party’s nod for governor. The film has received critical praise and two Oscar nods.

Verb Phrases

nod off, to fall asleep or doze, especially in a sitting position: He was reprimanded for nodding off in class.

nod out, Slang. to fall asleep, especially owing to the effects of a drug.

OTHER WORDS FOR nod

3 drowse.

See synonyms for nod on Thesaurus.com

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Idioms about nod

get the nod, to get approval; be selected, recognized, etc.: We’ve gotten the nod from the administration to hire two assistant professors.He got the nod as starting pitcher for the Phillies.

give the nod, to give an indication of approval, recognition, etc.: The board gave the nod to the new proposal.It wasn’t till May that the company was given the nod to schedule the event.

on the nod,

British Slang. on credit.
Slang. drowsy following a dose of a narcotic drug.

Origin of nod

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English nodde, of uncertain origin

OTHER WORDS FROM nod

nod·der, nounnod·ding·ly, adverbun·nod·ding, adjective

Other definitions for nod (2 of 2)

Nod

[ nod ]

/ nɒd /

noun

the land east of Eden where Cain went to dwell. Genesis 4:16.

land of Nod.

Origin of Nod

Ultimately from Hebrew Nōdh “wandering”

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

How to use nod in a sentence

Each November, teams give a nod of confidence to a player or two — or in this case, three — by protecting them from the Rule 5 draft.
Nationals protect Steven Fuentes, Yasel Antuna and Joan Adon from Rule 5 draft|Jesse Dougherty|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
Japan’s chief cabinet secretary, Katsunobu Kato, said Friday there’s no need for the nation, which gave its nod in May, to review remdesivir’s approval at this time.
WHO advises against using Gilead’s remdesivir to treat hospitalized COVID patients|Claire Zillman, reporter|November 20, 2020|Fortune
The styling has quite a few subtle nods to its motorcycle roots.
Harley’s first electric bicycle stands out with its retro style|Stan Horaczek|November 2, 2020|Popular-Science
David made a nod to Fortune’s Fastest Growing Companies list yesterday, but I want to return to it today, because I think it illustrates a couple of important points about today’s economy.
What Fortune’s Fastest Growing Companies list says about the economy|Alan Murray|October 30, 2020|Fortune

At this speed I could see the mutual nods that preceded a chase.
Forget Everything You Know About Your Dog (Ep. 436)|Stephen J. Dubner|October 22, 2020|Freakonomics
Hitchcock nodded and replied, “Call it Prosciutto and change the locale to Italy.”
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Through it all, Chris Hughes nodded approvingly, an unnerving grin on his face.
Facebook Prince Purges The New Republic: Inside the Destruction of a 100-Year-Old Magazine|Lloyd Grove|December 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I nodded, puffed my chest out, but then looked at the ground.
I Shot Bin Laden|Elliot Ackerman|November 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Some heads nodded in recognition of this, others look startled.
New York Nurses Are the Calm in Ebola’s Storm|Abby Haglage|October 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I tried to stop and ask him what it was, but he just nodded and kept going down the hallway.
Native American Basketball Team in Wyoming Have Hoop Dreams Of Their Own|Robert Silverman|August 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Ripperda's eye fell upon the mantle,—it was discoloured a dark red in many places, he nodded his head, and the man withdrew.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
The girl smiled, and drew out a large key, and nodded, still smiling as she replaced it.
Checkmate|Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
Uncle David nodded, and waved his hand, as on entering the door he gave them a farewell smile over his shoulder.
Checkmate|Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
The woman he had felt so proudly would put Tony in his place—nodded consent!
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood
They nodded at each other when they met, and the gray man showed him a little ship with rigging that took up and down.
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II|Rudyard Kipling

British Dictionary definitions for nod

nod

/ (nɒd) /

verb nods, nodding or nodded

to lower and raise (the head) briefly, as to indicate agreement, invitation, etc

(tr) to express or indicate by noddingshe nodded approval

(tr) to bring or direct by noddingshe nodded me towards the manager's office

(intr) (of flowers, trees, etc) to sway or bend forwards and back

(intr) to let the head fall forward through drowsiness; be almost asleepthe old lady sat nodding by the fire

(intr) to be momentarily inattentive or carelesseven Homer sometimes nods

nodding acquaintance a slight, casual, or superficial knowledge (of a subject or a person)

noun

a quick down-and-up movement of the head, as in assent, command, etcshe greeted him with a nod

a short sleep; napSee also land of Nod

a swaying motion, as of flowers, etc, in the wind

on the nod informal

agreed, as in a committee meeting, without any formal procedure
(formerly) on credit

the nod boxing informal the award of a contest to a competitor on the basis of points scored

Derived forms of nod

nodding, adjective, noun

Word Origin for nod

C14 nodde, of obscure origin

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with nod

nod

In addition to the idiom beginning with nod

nodding acquaintance
nod off

also see:

get the nod

nod

OTHER WORDS FOR nod

Idioms about nod

Origin of nod

OTHER WORDS FROM nod

Other definitions for nod (2 of 2)

Origin of Nod

Words related to nod

How to use nod in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for nod

Derived forms of nod

Word Origin for nod

Other Idioms and Phrases with nod