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nod

1 of 2

verb

nodded; nodding

intransitive verb

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

transitive verb

1
: 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

nod

2 of 2

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 Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Foden nodded a header back into the path of Aguero, who had scored a hat-trick against Villa a couple of months earlier wearing this same kit. Thom Harris, New York Times, 17 May 2025 Materials like canvas and leather are used in tandem, offering a textural contrast that nods to the diversity of vacation experiences found across Australian terrain. Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 15 May 2025
Noun
The little one's middle name is a nod to Scott's father, whose real name is Marshall Mathers. Erin Clack, People.com, 20 May 2025 Inspired by the legendary restaurant rolls, the Mini Rolls are a nod to Texas Roadhouse’s original recipe but come in a convenient, ready-to-heat pan. Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for nod

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English nodden; perhaps akin to Old High German hnotōn to shake

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

circa 1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nod was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nod.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nod. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

Kids 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

More from Merriam-Webster on nod

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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