United States

American  

[yoo-nahy-tid steyts] / juˈnaɪ tɪd ˈsteɪts /

noun

(used with a singular verb)

1. Official Name United States of America.  a federal republic in the northern Western Hemisphere comprising 48 contiguous states, the District of Columbia, Alaska in North America, and Hawaii in the North Pacific, and in some contexts considered along with its five inhabited island territories (Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, North Mariana Islands,American Samoa ). Conterminous United States, 3,119,885 square miles (8,080,465 square kilometers); with Alaska and Hawaii, 3,796,742 square miles (9,833,517 square kilometers); all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the island territories, 3,805,927 square miles (9,857,306 square kilometers) Washington, D.C. U.S., US

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Other Word Forms

• anti–United States
  adjective
• pro–United States
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of United States

First recorded in 1600–10, in reference to the United Provinces of the Netherlands, and in 1770–80 for the United States of America ( def. )

Example Sentences

Carol Black and Keisy G.M. are both green-card holders who have lived in the United States legally for decades.

From Slate • Jun. 17, 2026

The Fable incident prompted calls for greater independence from the United States in AI development from candidates across the political spectrum for next year's French presidential election.

From Barron's • Jun. 16, 2026

But that number does not include the supporters who have headed out to the United States without securing tickets.

From BBC • Jun. 16, 2026

Yet we’re more likely to hear about the 5.5 million cases of skin cancer each year in the United States.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 16, 2026

The headquarters of the United States Pension Office is a redbrick building with massive marble columns marching abreast a soaring atrium in the middle.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse