America

American  

[uh-mer-i-kuh] / əˈmɛr ɪ kə /

noun

1. United States.

2. North America.

3. South America.

4. Also called the Americas.  North and South America considered together.

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America British  

/ əˈmɛrɪkə /

noun

1. short for the United States of America

2. Also called: the Americas.  the American continent, including North, South, and Central America

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“America” Cultural  

1. An American patriotic hymn from the nineteenth century, sung to the tune of the national anthem of Great Britain, “God Save the Queen.” It begins, “My country, 'tis of thee.”

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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

No one has to tell Adams about the economic hurdles that nonprofit theaters, the wellspring of new plays in America, are confronting.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

If a cease-fire falls apart, Gertken says he would favor owning oil and natural gas exchange-traded funds, energy stocks in both North and South America and renewable energy and materials stocks.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

She popularized yoga via public television in America.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

Mizuho analyst Ben Chaiken wrote in a note to clients that oil prices would likely dictate investor sentiment around the cruise industry, and said travel from North America to Europe remained a risk.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 8, 2026

Elisha was arguably the most famous man in America.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock