nodded; nodding
1
: to make a quick downward motion of the head whether deliberately (as in expressing assent or salutation) or involuntarily (as from drowsiness)
She nodded in agreement.
The guard nodded to us as we walked in.
He sat nodding by the fire.
2
: to incline or sway from the vertical as though ready to fall
signposts nodding in the wind
3
: to bend or sway the upper part gently downward or forward : bob gently
the plumes that nodded on his helmet
nodding flowers on long stems
4
: to make a slip or error in a moment of abstraction
… Fuentes nods, and his language then falls into … an overly learned mumbo-jumbo that stops the drama of his action.—
Robert Maurer
Robert Maurer1
: to incline downward or forward
nodded his head in agreement
2
: to bring, invite, or send by a nod
nodded us in
3
: to signify by a nod
nodded their approval
nodder
noun
1
: the act or an instance of nodding
gave a nod of greeting
2
: an indication especially of approval or recognition
Examples of nod in a Sentence
Verb
She nodded when I asked her if she was ready.
I asked her if she could hear me, and she nodded her head.
“The bathroom is around the corner,” he said, nodding to the left.
She nodded toward the dirty dishes and said she would get to them later.
Recent Examples on the WebThuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2024
On Saturday, June 1, the daughter of Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe celebrated the first day of Pride Month with an Instagram post nodding to her past comments about sexuality and gender — and another one dedicated to her haters.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 1 June 2024
Jen Juneau, Peoplemag, 5 June 2024
As previously reported by ESSENCE, in 2023, For Us By Us Studios partnered with streaming company Cinedigm to launch the For Us By Us Network, a nod to their famed moniker.
—Jasmine Browley, Essence, 5 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for nod 
Verb
The answer elicited laughter from Brady and Inouye-Perez, who elbowed each other and nodded.
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2024
On Saturday, June 1, the daughter of Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe celebrated the first day of Pride Month with an Instagram post nodding to her past comments about sexuality and gender — and another one dedicated to her haters.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 1 June 2024
Noun
Wiig and Mumolo, 50, also landed a nod for Best Original Screenplay.
—Jen Juneau, Peoplemag, 5 June 2024
As previously reported by ESSENCE, in 2023, For Us By Us Studios partnered with streaming company Cinedigm to launch the For Us By Us Network, a nod to their famed moniker.
—Jasmine Browley, Essence, 5 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for nod
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nod.' 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 nod
Cite this Entry
“Nod.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nod. Accessed 9 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nod
1 of 2 verb
nodded; nodding
1
: to bend the head downward or forward (as in bowing or going to sleep or as a way of answering "yes")
2
: to move up and down
the tulips nodded in the breeze
3
: to show by a nod of the head
nod agreement
4
: to let one's attention roam for a moment and make an error
nodder
noun
nod
2 of 2 noun
: the action of nodding
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