Amer·i·can
ə-ˈmer-ə-kən 
-ˈmər-
-ˈmər-
-ˈme-rə-
1
: an American Indian of North America or South America
2
: a native or inhabitant of North America or South America
3
: a native or inhabitant of the U.S. : a U.S. citizen
4
1
: of or relating to America
American people
2
: of or relating to the U.S. or its possessions or original territory
American soldiers
American embassies
American states
American culture
Examples of American in a Sentence
Noun
Americans in all 50 states.
The President's speech began with the words “My fellow Americans…”.
Recent Examples on the Web
Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
The program also features co-sponsors include Judy and Leonard Lauder, official airline partner American Airlines, wine partner DAOU Vineyards, spirits partner Tequila Don Julio and the City of West Hollywood.
—Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Jan. 2025
Aila Slisco, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
While American passport holders can access 186 out of 227 destinations visa-free, the U.S. itself allows only 46 other nationalities to pass through its borders visa-free, putting it way down the Henley Openness Index in 84th place (compared to 9th place on the Henley Passport Index).
—Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
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Noun
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), vision loss in older dogs can stem from conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, or hypertension, which may lead to retinal detachment.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
The program also features co-sponsors include Judy and Leonard Lauder, official airline partner American Airlines, wine partner DAOU Vineyards, spirits partner Tequila Don Julio and the City of West Hollywood.
—Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
The fact is that Mexican America is recognized since the 17th century ... as the name for the whole northern part of the (American) continent.
—Aila Slisco, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
While American passport holders can access 186 out of 227 destinations visa-free, the U.S. itself allows only 46 other nationalities to pass through its borders visa-free, putting it way down the Henley Openness Index in 84th place (compared to 9th place on the Henley Passport Index).
—Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for American
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Dictionary Entries Near American
Cite this Entry
“American.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/American. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
American
1 of 2 noun
Amer·i·can
ə-ˈmer-ə-kən
1
: a person born or living in North America or South America
especially
: a citizen of the U.S.
2
: the English language used in the U.S.
American
2 of 2 adjective1
: of or relating to North or South America or their residents
American coastline
2
: of or relating to the U.S. or its citizens
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