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• America
  America

  noun

  United States.
• “America”
  “America”

  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.”

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

After a surprisingly quick negotiation with the film and TV studios, the members of the Writers Guild of America have officially ratified a new four-year contract.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

Around £780m has been raised including financial contributions from America, the European Union, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

From BBC • May 12, 2026

In April, the spending growth for high-income customers compared to last year was twice the size of middle-income shoppers, Bank of America researchers wrote.

From MarketWatch • May 12, 2026

Whether his songs about Middle America read as a desire for escape or a tribute to a modest and quieter life depends on where the listener might be when he or she finds them.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026

Or would it be safer for her to go to America?

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin