Uncle Sam

noun

1. a personification of the government or people of the U.S.: represented as a tall, lean man with white chin whiskers, wearing a blue tailcoat, red-and-white-striped trousers, and a top hat with a band of stars.

Uncle Sam

noun

1. a personification of the government of the United States

Uncle Sam

1. A figure who stands for the government of the United States and for the United States itself. Uncle Sam — whose initials are the abbreviation of United States — is portrayed as an old man with a gray goatee who sports a top hat and Stars and Stripes clothing. During World War I and World War II , posters of Uncle Sam exhorted young men to join the armed forces. ( Compare John Bull .)

Word History and Origins

Origin of Uncle Sam¹

An Americanism dating back to 1805–15; extension of the initials U.S.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Uncle Sam¹

C19: apparently a humorous interpretation of the letters stamped on army supply boxes during the War of 1812: US

Example Sentences

If you’re going to see Uncle Sam take 40 cents on the dollar for the money you make in an investment, it’s a less appealing risk to take.

From Time

Accordingly, Uncle Sam might even become a more significant player in the crypto marketplace in the months and years to come.

From Vox

Uncle Sam really doesn’t know how often police use force, much less why they do so or even whether the force used was justifiable.

From Ozy

So even those families who don’t make enough to pay Uncle Sam would get a monthly check from the IRS and not have to pay it back.

From Time

Even better, when we file our taxes next spring, we'll get a $7,500 credit from Uncle Sam.

From Ars Technica

At the mention of "Uncle Sam" a great cheer went up—a mighty shout.

From Project Gutenberg

If we save him,” said Uncle Sam, “he will only make trouble for us again.

From Project Gutenberg

The steamer "Uncle Sam" enters the harbor, being the first of a line established to Chicago.

From Project Gutenberg