American cheese

American  

noun

American cheeses plural

1. a type of processed cheddar-style cheese made in the U.S.

---

American cheese British  

noun

1. a type of smooth hard white or yellow cheese similar to a mild Cheddar

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• American cheeses
  plural

Etymology

Origin of American cheese

An Americanism dating back to 1795–1805

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

American cheese

And the deli guy every Saturday morning would hand me a free slice of American cheese and I was like the luckiest kid in the world.

From Slate ● Jun. 20, 2026

The lentils simmer in stock — or broth, or water and bouillon — until soft and stewy, and then comes the ingredient that makes the entire recipe sing white American cheese.

From Salon ● May 19, 2026

Seeds are visible among the chopped roasted chiles, smoky and vegetal and bringing some heat, overlaid with a single square of American cheese melted into place.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 12, 2026

American cheese exports rose 20% last year to a record 613,000 metric tons.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 6, 2026

According to the McDonald’s handout, the cheeseburger contains only six ingredients: a 100 percent beef patty, a bun, two American cheese slices, ketchup, mustard, pickles, onions, and “grill seasoning,” whatever that is.

From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan