American Sign Language

noun

: a sign language that is used especially for communication by and with deaf people and is the formal sign language of the United States and English-speaking Canada and also serves as the basis for various sign languages in other countries (such as Thailand, Nigeria, and Bolivia)

—abbreviation ASL

called also Ameslan

Note: American Sign Language was developed in Hartford, Connecticut in the early 1800s.

Examples of American Sign Language in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Cordova and his team are interpreting the music and lyrics into American Sign Language, or ASL, allowing Deaf concertgoers to experience rocking out along with their hearing peers. —Luis Melecio-Zambrano, The Mercury News, 21 June 2024

Already, Tiffany is learning American Sign Language. —Mark Johnson, Washington Post, 17 June 2024

All music acts will feature premiere American Sign Language performances by Daniel Durant, Anjel Piñero and Shaheem Sanchez on behalf of the National Association of the Deaf. —Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 13 June 2024

Several performances will feature American Sign Language interpreters. —Brendel Hightower, Detroit Free Press, 11 June 2024

If your child has vision or hearing loss, the Children’s Trust encourages you to use resources provided by the Miami-Dade Public Library System including free braille and audio books, and free videos of American Sign Language (ASL) retellings of children’s books by age. —Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 7 June 2024

Other photos showed Isaac's other certificates, which included a certificate of excellence in American Sign Language. —Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 7 June 2024

Deaf West uses both Deaf and hearing actors in their productions with all the performers performing American Sign Language (ASL), which becomes an integral part of the show and its choreography. —Jenelle Riley, Variety, 17 May 2024

Other supports include American Sign Language interpreters, an intimacy and fight director (Hannah Roccisano) and a director of ASL (Kailyn Aaron-Lozano). —Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

American Sign Language

noun

: a sign language for the deaf