What does "gesture" mean?

1. (physical movement) a movement of part of the body, especially a hand or the head, to express an idea or meaning. 2. (symbolic action) something you do to show a particular feeling or intention, even if it doesn't change the situation much. 3. (touchscreen command) a specific movement you make on a screen or with a mouse to tell a computer what to do. 4. (to signal with the body) to move your hands or head to tell someone something or to show them where to go.

How do you use "gesture"?

often followed by a preposition like 'to' or 'toward'

gesture

n. · v.

US //ˈdʒɛstʃɝ// UK //dʒˈɛstʃɐ// ges·ture

1 physical movement (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

a movement of part of the body, especially a hand or the head, to express an idea or meaning.

a physical motion of the limbs or body used to communicate or emphasize a thought or feeling.

Example

He made a small gesture with his hand to show that he was finished.

Example

The speaker used an expansive hand gesture to emphasize the scale of the project during the presentation.
2 symbolic action (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

something you do to show a particular feeling or intention, even if it doesn't change the situation much.

an action performed to convey a specific intention, attitude, or social formality.

Example

Sending flowers was a kind gesture after they helped her move house.

Example

The company's donation was seen as a symbolic gesture of goodwill toward the local community after the recent controversy.

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3 touchscreen command (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Computing

a specific movement you make on a screen or with a mouse to tell a computer what to do.

a specific motion made on a touchscreen or with a pointing device that a system interprets as a command.

Example

You can use a swiping gesture to delete emails on your phone.

Example

The latest operating system update introduced several new multi-touch gestures to improve navigation between open applications.
- swipe
- flick
4 to signal with the body (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to move your hands or head to tell someone something or to show them where to go.

to use physical motions to communicate a message or to direct someone's attention.

Example

The waiter gestured toward an empty table in the corner of the restaurant.

Example

She gestured for him to remain silent while the recording was in progress.

Usage

often followed by a preposition like 'to' or 'toward'

Origin

From Medieval Latin gestūra (“a mode of action”), from Latin gerō (“to bear; (reflexive) bear oneself, behave, act”), past participle gestus.