Americanism

American  

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

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.

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Americanism British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• anti-Americanism noun
• pro-Americanism noun

Etymology

Origin of Americanism

First recorded in 1775–85; American + -ism

Example Sentences

The offensive word in question was once an Americanism used to describe having been cheated, swindled or deceived.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 15, 2023

He saw my focus on my journalism career as a gaudy Americanism that carried the stench of effort.

From New York Times • Jan. 9, 2022

Du Bois explores the concept of self through the lens of Africanism and Americanism.

From Textbooks • Dec. 21, 2021

But the right to say what you want, when you want, how you want is as central to Americanism as any freedom.

From Fox News • Dec. 31, 2019

Before this they had lived as individuals, each somewhat afraid of the other, each seeking his own pleasure, each stanch in that degree of Americanism that had been allowed him.

From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright