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
Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 22 Sep. 2025
No American League lineup sees fewer pitches per plate appearance, a flaw showcased by Sunday’s first inning.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025
She was called up to the main roster after having title reigns with the NXT Women's Championship and the North American Women's Championship.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
The bill doesn’t extend the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits that were passed by Congress in the American Rescue Plan.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for American
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Noun
More generally, American Enterprise Institute senior fellow Brett Schaefer predicted Trump would speak to two audiences through his address, one domestic and the other foreign.
—Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 22 Sep. 2025
No American League lineup sees fewer pitches per plate appearance, a flaw showcased by Sunday’s first inning.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025
She was called up to the main roster after having title reigns with the NXT Women's Championship and the North American Women's Championship.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
The bill doesn’t extend the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits that were passed by Congress in the American Rescue Plan.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 21 Sep. 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 23 Sep. 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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