Uncle Sam

American  

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.

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Uncle Sam British  

noun

1. a personification of the government of the United States

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Uncle Sam Cultural  

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.)

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Etymology

Origin of Uncle Sam

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Uncle Sam

Incurring national debt, which the country has done since its inception, can help Uncle Sam pay for necessary services and investments.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 5, 2026

Despite his efforts to avoid incurring the wrath of Uncle Sam, Marset eventually came into the crosshairs of the DEA.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 23, 2026

Think of it as a tax “prenup” with Uncle Sam that you settle up on your terms so the surviving spouse isn’t ambushed by higher rates down the road.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 22, 2026

Here’s a surprise about the countries at the center of the bond-market selloff: They’re all borrowing far less than Uncle Sam.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026

Uncle Sam poured another quarter glass of wine into her glass, then filled it the rest of the way with water for the next blessing.

From "The Devil's Arithmetic" by Jane Yolen