Americanism

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

noun

a custom, trait, belief, etc., peculiar to the United States of America or its citizens.
  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 Engish.
devotion to or preference for the U.S. and its institutions.

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?
Question 1 of 10
decorum
the act of or need for making up one's mind.
dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.
a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of Americanism

First recorded in 1775–85; American + -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM Americanism

pro-A·mer·i·can·ism, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for americanism

British Dictionary definitions for americanism

Americanism
/ (əˈmɛrɪkəˌnɪzəm) /

noun

a custom, linguistic usage, or other feature peculiar to or characteristic of the United States, its people, or their culture
loyalty to the United States, its people, customs, etc
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012