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
Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
Which inspired a current exhibit — and launch of an ongoing initiative — at the African American Cultural Center of Long Beach.
—Fred Bronson, Billboard, 15 July 2025
Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
If the Western frontier defined American optimism in the 19th century, the suburban frontier defined it in the 20th.
—Marina Bolotnikova, Vox, 7 July 2025
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Noun
Other Facebook board members named in the complaint are former Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation CEO Dr. Susan Desmond-Hellman, eBay CFO Peggy Alford and former American Express CEO Kenneth Chenault.
—Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
Which inspired a current exhibit — and launch of an ongoing initiative — at the African American Cultural Center of Long Beach.
—Fred Bronson, Billboard, 15 July 2025
Adjective
Paterson became New York's first Black governor and the second legally blind one in American history.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
If the Western frontier defined American optimism in the 19th century, the suburban frontier defined it in the 20th.
—Marina Bolotnikova, Vox, 7 July 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 21 Jul. 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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