sign language
noun
1
: any of various formal languages employing a system of hand gestures and their placement relative to the upper body, facial expressions, body postures, and finger spelling especially for communication by and with deaf people
But true sign languages are in fact complete in themselves: their syntax, grammar, and semantics are complete, but they have a different character from that of any spoken or written language.—
Oliver Sacks
Oliver SacksSign language relies mainly on the signer's hand, but facial expressions and body movements are also important.—Mark Prigg
Mark Prigg2
: an unsystematic method of communicating chiefly by manual gestures (as by people speaking different languages)
I decided to cadge a lift from a Lebanese who only spoke Arabic, so we had to converse in sign language.—Robert Fox
Robert FoxExamples of sign language in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But prison policy has prohibited videotaping the hearings, including sign language translations that some deaf prisoners rely on to understand the proceedings.
—Don Thompson, Sacramento Bee, 9 Apr. 2024
Since its launch, the line has expanded to include services in Spanish and American sign language.
—Mira Cheng, CNN, 21 Mar. 2024
Hartman Squire underscored the need for studios and networks to do the work to hire accessibility coordinators and sign language interpreters and implant wheelchair accessibilities to produce a more accessible work environment for all creatives.
—Diego Ramos Bechara, Variety, 7 Mar. 2024
Schools for the deaf spread throughout the 19th century, but many in the South were segregated, causing sign language to develop differently in Black and white communities, Hill said through an interpreter.
—USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2024
This Starbucks is the first US sign language store and is located to serve a large deaf community in Washington, DC.
—CNN, 12 Mar. 2024
Company spokesperson Hawkins did not dispute Meet’s limitations but claims support for the Deaf community is a priority at Google, where work underway includes developing computer vision software to translate sign language.
—Paresh Dave, WIRED, 7 Mar. 2024
The artistic sign language directors function in part as dramaturgs, considering what is happening at the time of the play, the age of the characters and other factors that affect them.
—Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2024
Kristin Andrews told me a heartbreaking story about a chimpanzee named Bruno who was taught sign language at the University of Oklahoma.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2024
Don Thompson, Sacramento Bee, 9 Apr. 2024
Since its launch, the line has expanded to include services in Spanish and American sign language.
—Mira Cheng, CNN, 21 Mar. 2024
Hartman Squire underscored the need for studios and networks to do the work to hire accessibility coordinators and sign language interpreters and implant wheelchair accessibilities to produce a more accessible work environment for all creatives.
—Diego Ramos Bechara, Variety, 7 Mar. 2024
Schools for the deaf spread throughout the 19th century, but many in the South were segregated, causing sign language to develop differently in Black and white communities, Hill said through an interpreter.
—USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2024
This Starbucks is the first US sign language store and is located to serve a large deaf community in Washington, DC.
—CNN, 12 Mar. 2024
Company spokesperson Hawkins did not dispute Meet’s limitations but claims support for the Deaf community is a priority at Google, where work underway includes developing computer vision software to translate sign language.
—Paresh Dave, WIRED, 7 Mar. 2024
The artistic sign language directors function in part as dramaturgs, considering what is happening at the time of the play, the age of the characters and other factors that affect them.
—Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2024
Kristin Andrews told me a heartbreaking story about a chimpanzee named Bruno who was taught sign language at the University of Oklahoma.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sign language.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near sign language
Cite this Entry
“Sign language.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sign%20language. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share