nodding

adjective

nod·​ding ˈnä-diŋ How to pronounce nodding (audio)
1
: bending downward or forward : drooping
nodding flowers
2
: slight, superficial
a nodding acquaintance

Examples of nodding in a Sentence

some students, with nodding heads, were helplessly falling asleep during the boring lecture
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.
James O’Donoghue, a planetary scientist with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, likened our planet’s tilting phenomenon to a nodding head. Aylin Woodward, WSJ, 21 Dec. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nodding was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near nodding

Cite this Entry

“Nodding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nodding. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

nodding

adjective
nod·​ding
ˈnäd-iŋ
: bending downward or forward
a plant with nodding flowers

More from Merriam-Webster on nodding

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