Americanism

[ uh-mer-i-kuh-niz-uhm ]

noun

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

Americanism

/ əˈmɛrɪkəˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. a custom, linguistic usage, or other feature peculiar to or characteristic of the United States, its people, or their culture
2. loyalty to the United States, its people, customs, etc

Other Word Forms

• an·ti-A·mer·i·can·ism noun
• pro-A·mer·i·can·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Americanism¹

First recorded in 1775–85; American + -ism

Example Sentences

Even the British have been trying to swat back Americanisms.

From Los Angeles Times

Other stories are grimmer: In late 1941, just after Pearl Harbor, the Japanese American Citizens League held an “Americanism Rally” at Washington Hall.

From Seattle Times

All of them, in the name of Americanism, have used undemocratic methods and doctrines which experience has shown can be properly identified as ‘fascist’….

From Salon

Woodrow Wilson, Virginian though he was, has a fast, mincing way of talking; Warren G. Harding, extolling “Americanism,” speaks at a slow tread; and Calvin Coolidge preaches frugality in a peeved, high-pitched Yankee creak.

From Washington Post

The implication is that race, ethnicity, immigration status or accent — anything other than an outdated stereotype of conventional Americanism — marks a person as not, or less, American.

From Washington Post