American dream

noun

often capitalized D
: an American social ideal that stresses egalitarianism and especially material prosperity
also : the prosperity or life that is the realization of this ideal

Examples of American dream in a Sentence

with the acquisition of a big house in the suburbs, they felt as though the American dream had indeed become a reality for them

Word History

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of American dream was in 1900

Dictionary Entries Near American dream

Cite this Entry

“American dream.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/American%20dream. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!