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
Lisa Baertlein, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
Sources for developing weight targets include the American Community Survey, Fox News Voter Analysis and voter file data.
—Victoria Balara, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
The sour versus sweet mash process is just one of several important variations in the whiskey-making process and contributes to American whiskey’s enormous aroma and flavor range.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
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Noun
The American Trucking Associations in January forecast 2025 industry volume growth of 1.6%.
—Lisa Baertlein, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
Sources for developing weight targets include the American Community Survey, Fox News Voter Analysis and voter file data.
—Victoria Balara, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Native American leaders were delegates in 1907 to the state’s constitutional convention.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
The sour versus sweet mash process is just one of several important variations in the whiskey-making process and contributes to American whiskey’s enormous aroma and flavor range.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for American
Cite this Entry
“American.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/American. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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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