Americanism

American  

[uh-mer-i-kuh-niz-uhm] / əˈmɛr ɪ kəˌnɪz əm /

noun

1. a custom, trait, belief, etc., peculiar to the United States of America or its citizens.

2. 1. a word, phrase, or other language feature that is especially characteristic of the English language as spoken or written in the U.S.

   2. such a word or phrase first recorded in American English.

3. devotion to or preference for the U.S. and its institutions.

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Americanism British  

/ əˈmɛrɪkəˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. a custom, linguistic usage, or other feature peculiar to or characteristic of the United States, its people, or their culture

2. loyalty to the United States, its people, customs, etc

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Other Word Forms

• anti-Americanism noun
• pro-Americanism noun

Etymology

Origin of Americanism

First recorded in 1775–85; American + -ism

Example Sentences

Even the British have been trying to swat back Americanisms.

From Los Angeles Times

Other stories are grimmer: In late 1941, just after Pearl Harbor, the Japanese American Citizens League held an “Americanism Rally” at Washington Hall.

From Seattle Times

Woodrow Wilson, Virginian though he was, has a fast, mincing way of talking; Warren G. Harding, extolling “Americanism,” speaks at a slow tread; and Calvin Coolidge preaches frugality in a peeved, high-pitched Yankee creak.

From Washington Post

The offensive word in question was once an Americanism used to describe having been cheated, swindled or deceived.

From Los Angeles Times

That drew widespread criticism from Oxford comma enthusiasts, but it was met with fierce support for the one-comma approach that was rooted in national pride — a second comma was seen by many as an Americanism.

From New York Times