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.

a word, phrase, or other language feature that is especially characteristic of the English language as spoken or written in the U.S.
such a word or phrase first recorded in American Engish.

devotion to or preference for the U.S. and its institutions.

Origin of Americanism

First recorded in 1775–85; American + -ism

Related forms

pro-A·mer·i·can·ism, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for americanism

He bearded Americanism in its den—forced it upon its own territory—and triumphed in the popular vote by thousands.
Presidential Candidates:|D. W. Bartlett
Bower, as used in cards, is an Americanism derived from the German bauer, meaning the jack.
The American Language|Henry L. Mencken
To use a Briticism, it was “cruel”; the corresponding Americanism was more appropriate—it was “fierce.”
The People of the Abyss|Jack London
In the one case the Briticism is the shorter, and in the other the Americanism.
Americanisms and Briticisms|Brander Matthews

The style is purely English, without a touch of Americanism.
Town Life in Australia|R. E. N. (Richard) Twopeny

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

Americanism

noun

RELATED CONTENT

Origin of Americanism

Related forms

Examples from the Web for americanism

British Dictionary definitions for americanism

Americanism

noun