American cheese

American  

noun

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

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American cheese British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of American cheese

An Americanism dating back to 1795–1805

Example Sentences

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

The crunch of the iceberg lettuce and the familiar taste of sliced American cheese reminded me of the Old El Paso brand taco kits my mom used to serve in the ’80s—about 7,000 miles away.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 25, 2025

Suddenly, artisanal American cheese — with its aged cheddar backbone and melt-you-can-feel-in-your-bones texture — wasn’t just a niche kitchen secret.

From Salon • Jul. 6, 2025

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