America
Americannoun
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Also called the Americas. North and South America considered together.
noun
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short for the United States of America
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Also called: the Americas. the American continent, including North, South, and Central America
Usage
Spelling tips for America It can be difficult to remember how to spell the word America because it’s a place name that’s thought to be derived from a person’s name (Amerigo Vespucci). How to spell America: To remember how to spell America, think of a woman named Erica introducing herself: “Hi, I am Erica.”
Etymology
Origin of America
C16: from Americus , Latin form of Amerigo ; after Amerigo Vespucci
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The Writers Guild of America has separately sued to block the transaction, claiming the combination of two historic studios would reduce opportunities and pay for writers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026
AstraZeneca has made no secret of its push to become a more U.S.-centric company, stepping up investment in America and recently completing a direct listing on the New York Stock Exchange.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026
But Ron Epstein, an aerospace analyst at Bank of America Securities, says the recent share price swings say more about the market than the company.
From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026
Scientists identified more than 100 fossils, including six groups that had never previously been recorded in North America.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 6, 2026
When the family had emigrated to America, they’d claimed her as a daughter to get her into the country.
From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu
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And finally, lovers of Maurizio Cattelan’s “America”, rejoice.
From Slate ● Nov. 1, 2025
The artist initially intended to create five matching versions of his toilet, which he titled “America” as a way to question which spaces in a museum get deemed sacred versus profane.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 31, 2025
But it’s also important to remember that “America” is all of us, not just a politician or a party or regime.
From Salon ● Nov. 26, 2024
His version of the number now is in keeping with Fosse’s “America” — told through song and dance.
From New York Times ● Feb. 24, 2023
All the primary children would march after the flag, and they were going to sing “America” and “The Star Spangled Banner.”
From Boys and Girls Bookshelf (Vol 2 of 17) Folk-Lore, Fables, And Fairy Tales by Baltzell, W. J. (Winton James)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.