sign language

noun

1. Also called sign. any of several visual-gestural systems of communication, especially employing manual gestures, as used among deaf people.
2. any means of communication, as between speakers of different languages, using gestures.

sign language

noun

1. See signing
   another word for signing
2. any system of communication by manual signs or gestures

Word History and Origins

Origin of sign language¹

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

If you’re looking to learn sign language for a loved one or simply looking to learn a new skill that sets you apart, then this bundle may be for you.

From Popular-Science

Instead, she brought her client and a sign language interpreter to the hiring site and persuaded representatives there to interview him in person.

From MIT Technology Review

For the hard-of-hearing, the absence of in-person meetings and conversations has been felt perhaps even more keenly as they’ve struggled to lip read, use sign language, access interpreters in time for video meetings.

From Digiday

Madou, who is deaf, expressed concerns over the prospect of going to court during a pandemic, and she also said that she was unsure whether the court would provide her with a sign language interpreter.

From ProPublica

Her mom and dad have to translate what she says when there isn’t someone else who speaks sign language.

From ProPublica

Hearing people used sign language even when there was no deaf person present.

From The Daily Beast

The town developed a sign language that everyone in the town used, deaf or not.

From The Daily Beast

And they definitely did not know sign language, at least not well.

From The Daily Beast

I'd teach some of my hearing friends sign language, which they picked up quickly.

From The Daily Beast

South African sign language covers all of the country's 11 official languages.

From The Daily Beast

School exercises in language composition are given with great success upon the basis of the sign-language.

From Project Gutenberg

It is only when the sign-language is abused that its merit as a means of instruction degenerates.

From Project Gutenberg

So Scouts will not find it hard to pick up the sign language; the motions represent the thing itself.

From Project Gutenberg

I faltered with visions of my evenings spent in expressing myself in the sign language.

From Project Gutenberg

As Louis knew only four or five words of Dakota, communication had to be carried on principally in sign language.

From Project Gutenberg