Amer·i·can
ə-ˈmer-ə-kən 
-ˈmər-
-ˈmər-
-ˈme-rə-
1
: an American Indian of North America or South America
2
: a native or inhabitant of North America or South America
3
: a native or inhabitant of the U.S. : a U.S. citizen
4
1
: of or relating to America
American people
2
: of or relating to the U.S. or its possessions or original territory
American soldiers
American embassies
American states
American culture
Examples of American in a Sentence
Noun
Americans in all 50 states.
The President's speech began with the words “My fellow Americans…”.
Recent Examples on the Web
Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 16 May 2024
As Schwartz saw it, the West Bank was in some ways the American South of the 1960s.
—Mark Mazzetti Jonathan Davis Anna Diamond David Mason, New York Times, 16 May 2024
The three were Authentic, winner of the Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup Classic and a $350,000 purchase; Eight Rings, winner of the Grade 1 American Pharoah and who cost $520,000; and Charlatan, a $700,000 purchase, who won four of five including two Grade 1s.
—John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2024
Both stars were in town for the American Country Music Awards which will be held at the Ford Center in Frisco tonight.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 May 2024
For example, nothing much at all happens in American Honey for massive stretches, which was charming and tedious in equal measures.
—Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 May 2024
As part of the celebration, Cruz’s face will be depicted on a U.S. quarter in August, according to the United States Mint, as part of the American Women Quarters Program.
—Leila Cobo, Billboard, 16 May 2024
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month offers a chance to reflect on outstanding contributions by individuals like Bùi Tường Phong.
—TIME, 16 May 2024
Shelters have opened across the region, including nine by the American Red Cross.
—CBS News, 4 May 2024
Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 5 May 2024
Student fears triggered by Israeli-Palestinian conflict skyrocket May 2, 2024
The governor has taken quiet actions in recent weeks by convening Jewish and Muslim leaders, publishing a plan to combat antisemitism and communicating with Palestinian American communities about Islamophopia.
—Laurel Rosenhall, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2024
Following a European leg, the North American dates will pick back up in August with stops at Chicago’s Wrigley Field, New York’s Madison Square Garden, and Boston’s Fenway Park.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 5 May 2024
A lot of the Asian American actors that I was first introduced to were primarily theater actors who didn’t pay all the bills through film and television.
—Rebecca Sun, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 May 2024
First, nothing is being forgiven — the debt is simply being transferred onto the shoulders of the American taxpayers.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2024
This is not the American health care system’s first crippling cyberattack, of course.
—Erika Fry, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2024
The company is among 130 in the sector active in Morocco, where parts ranging from wings to fuselages are produced in an industry that employs 42% women — a proportion that industry lobbyists say is larger than its European and North American manufacturing industry counterparts.
—Sam Metz, Quartz, 23 Apr. 2024
Eventually, a more sophisticated Cuban American community learned to work within the U.S. political system, aligning primarily with the Republican Party, whose leaders, from Ronald Reagan to Donald Trump, appealed directly to the exiles.
—Richard Feinberg, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
Noun
Subsequent mega-hits like Glee and American Horror Story cemented his status as one of the modern era’s most successful producers and led to the inking of his 2018 Netflix contract, the biggest development deal in TV history.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 16 May 2024
As Schwartz saw it, the West Bank was in some ways the American South of the 1960s.
—Mark Mazzetti Jonathan Davis Anna Diamond David Mason, New York Times, 16 May 2024
The three were Authentic, winner of the Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup Classic and a $350,000 purchase; Eight Rings, winner of the Grade 1 American Pharoah and who cost $520,000; and Charlatan, a $700,000 purchase, who won four of five including two Grade 1s.
—John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2024
Both stars were in town for the American Country Music Awards which will be held at the Ford Center in Frisco tonight.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 May 2024
For example, nothing much at all happens in American Honey for massive stretches, which was charming and tedious in equal measures.
—Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 May 2024
As part of the celebration, Cruz’s face will be depicted on a U.S. quarter in August, according to the United States Mint, as part of the American Women Quarters Program.
—Leila Cobo, Billboard, 16 May 2024
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month offers a chance to reflect on outstanding contributions by individuals like Bùi Tường Phong.
—TIME, 16 May 2024
Shelters have opened across the region, including nine by the American Red Cross.
—CBS News, 4 May 2024
Adjective
Take advantage of getting to know an American Muslim and make America and American freedom and democracy work for all.
—Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 5 May 2024
Student fears triggered by Israeli-Palestinian conflict skyrocket May 2, 2024
The governor has taken quiet actions in recent weeks by convening Jewish and Muslim leaders, publishing a plan to combat antisemitism and communicating with Palestinian American communities about Islamophopia.
—Laurel Rosenhall, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2024
Following a European leg, the North American dates will pick back up in August with stops at Chicago’s Wrigley Field, New York’s Madison Square Garden, and Boston’s Fenway Park.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 5 May 2024
A lot of the Asian American actors that I was first introduced to were primarily theater actors who didn’t pay all the bills through film and television.
—Rebecca Sun, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 May 2024
First, nothing is being forgiven — the debt is simply being transferred onto the shoulders of the American taxpayers.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2024
This is not the American health care system’s first crippling cyberattack, of course.
—Erika Fry, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2024
The company is among 130 in the sector active in Morocco, where parts ranging from wings to fuselages are produced in an industry that employs 42% women — a proportion that industry lobbyists say is larger than its European and North American manufacturing industry counterparts.
—Sam Metz, Quartz, 23 Apr. 2024
Eventually, a more sophisticated Cuban American community learned to work within the U.S. political system, aligning primarily with the Republican Party, whose leaders, from Ronald Reagan to Donald Trump, appealed directly to the exiles.
—Richard Feinberg, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'American.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Dictionary Entries Near American
Cite this Entry
“American.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/American. Accessed 19 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
American
1 of 2 noun
Amer·i·can
ə-ˈmer-ə-kən
1
: a person born or living in North America or South America
especially
: a citizen of the U.S.
2
: the English language used in the U.S.
American
2 of 2 adjective1
: of or relating to North or South America or their residents
American coastline
2
: of or relating to the U.S. or its citizens
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