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
Alexander Tin, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
Currently one of the top stars in NXT, Williams is a two-time NXT Champion, the former NXT North American Champion, and the winner of the 2023 Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
John Bacon, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2025
This appears to be a fatal flaw in American democracy that is only now being exploited by a president.
—Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for American
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
This week's update came a day after Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. described his strategy for handling the current outbreak as a success, even after a third death of an unvaccinated American was linked to it.
—Alexander Tin, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
Currently one of the top stars in NXT, Williams is a two-time NXT Champion, the former NXT North American Champion, and the winner of the 2023 Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Shipments have been halted from many Chinese ports while the Chinese government drafts a new regulatory system − one that could permanently prevent supplies from reaching American military contractors and other U.S. companies.
—John Bacon, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2025
This appears to be a fatal flaw in American democracy that is only now being exploited by a president.
—Chicago Tribune, 14 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 20 Apr. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share