Amer·i·can
ə-ˈmer-ə-kən 
-ˈmər-
-ˈmər-
-ˈme-rə-
plural Americans
1
: an Indigenous person 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
Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 28 May 2026
Organizers maintain that the Great American State Fair and Freedom 250 are nonpartisan events.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 28 May 2026
Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Kuwait shot down the ballistic missile, the American and Kuwaiti militaries said.
—Kyla Guilfoil, NBC news, 29 May 2026
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Noun
Smith, who had been the strength coach at American Heritage, was promoted to head coach of the football program.
—Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 28 May 2026
Organizers maintain that the Great American State Fair and Freedom 250 are nonpartisan events.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 28 May 2026
Adjective
African American pitmasters helped shape East Texas barbecue traditions, contributing techniques, flavors and restaurant traditions that spread throughout the state.
—Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Kuwait shot down the ballistic missile, the American and Kuwaiti militaries said.
—Kyla Guilfoil, NBC news, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for American
Cite this Entry
“American.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/American. Accessed 29 May. 2026.
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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