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
Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 May 2024
And in its wake, there was an unprecedented flood of female singers from the UK on the American charts, including Adele, Duffy, Estelle, M.I.A. and Leona Lewis.
—Al Shipley, SPIN, 17 May 2024
Silk was intended to be the first such show, focusing on Korean American superhero Cindy Moon.
—Devan Coggan, EW.com, 17 May 2024
The North American cougar once roamed throughout the southern U.S., Elise Bennett, Florida and Caribbean director at the Center for Biological Diversity, told ABC News.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 17 May 2024
The lawsuit, which is seeking class-action status, alleges female and African American journalists receive, on average, several thousands of dollars less per year than their white male colleagues, a pay disparity that would be in violation of federal and state law.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2024
Freestyle Digital Media negotiated the deal to acquire the film’s North American VOD rights with Glenn Kendrick Ackermann, who represents worldwide rights through his company V International Media, on behalf of the filmmakers.
—Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 17 May 2024
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
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
Hollywood actors had barely inked a new labor deal with major studios and streamers last November when the lights in Ontario film studios flickered on and local talent and technical crews eyed a quick return to work on American shoots.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 May 2024
And in its wake, there was an unprecedented flood of female singers from the UK on the American charts, including Adele, Duffy, Estelle, M.I.A. and Leona Lewis.
—Al Shipley, SPIN, 17 May 2024
Silk was intended to be the first such show, focusing on Korean American superhero Cindy Moon.
—Devan Coggan, EW.com, 17 May 2024
The North American cougar once roamed throughout the southern U.S., Elise Bennett, Florida and Caribbean director at the Center for Biological Diversity, told ABC News.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 17 May 2024
The lawsuit, which is seeking class-action status, alleges female and African American journalists receive, on average, several thousands of dollars less per year than their white male colleagues, a pay disparity that would be in violation of federal and state law.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2024
Freestyle Digital Media negotiated the deal to acquire the film’s North American VOD rights with Glenn Kendrick Ackermann, who represents worldwide rights through his company V International Media, on behalf of the filmmakers.
—Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 17 May 2024
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
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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Cite this Entry
“American.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/American. Accessed 20 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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