Uncle Sam

American  

noun

1. a personification of the government or people of the U.S.: represented as a tall, lean man with white chin whiskers, wearing a blue tailcoat, red-and-white-striped trousers, and a top hat with a band of stars.

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Uncle Sam British  

noun

1. a personification of the government of the United States

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Uncle Sam Cultural  

1. A figure who stands for the government of the United States and for the United States itself. Uncle Sam — whose initials are the abbreviation of United States — is portrayed as an old man with a gray goatee who sports a top hat and Stars and Stripes clothing. During World War I and World War II, posters of Uncle Sam exhorted young men to join the armed forces. (Compare John Bull.)

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Etymology

Origin of Uncle Sam

An Americanism dating back to 1805–15; extension of the initials U.S.

Example Sentences

Shah admits that Uncle Sam could contribute to volatility, as markets try to handicap these potential worries.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

Investing can cost almost nothing nowadays—until Uncle Sam comes calling.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

On the Treasury curve, I would rather lend Uncle Sam money for two years than 30.

From MarketWatch • May 21, 2026

With the three-month T-bill yield at 3.68%, that represents real savings to Uncle Sam.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

Uncle Sam poured another quarter glass of wine into her glass, then filled it the rest of the way with water for the next blessing.

From "The Devil's Arithmetic" by Jane Yolen