American

[uh-mer-i-kuhn]

adjective

1. of or relating to the United States of America or its inhabitants.

   an American citizen.

2. of or relating to North or South America; of the Western Hemisphere.

   the American continents.

3. of or relating to the Indigenous peoples of North and South America.

noun

1. a citizen of the United States of America.

2. a native or inhabitant of North or South America.

3. an Indigenous person of North or South America.

4. American English.

5. a steam locomotive having a four-wheeled front truck, four driving wheels, and no rear truck.

American

/ əˈmɛrɪkən /

adjective

1. of or relating to the United States of America, its inhabitants, or their form of English

2. of or relating to the American continent

noun

1. a native or citizen of the US

2. a native or inhabitant of any country of North, Central, or South America

3. the English language as spoken or written in the United States

Other Word Forms

• Americanly adverb
• Americanness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of American¹

First recorded in 1570–80; Americ(a) + -an

Example Sentences

A recent KFF poll found Americans are increasingly uncertain about public health guidance and whether new recommendations from the administration will make them more or less safe.

From Los Angeles Times

“We are a part of this big American picture,” Marin said.

From Los Angeles Times

Those sensations trended toward a broader embrace — and appropriation — of Eastern culture among American artists.

From Salon

The quarterback is the central player in an American football team.

From BBC

Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes compared the approach to that of the American FBI who prosecuted Al Capone in the 1930s for tax evasion, rather than the murders he was suspected of.

From BBC