the American dream
noun phrase
variants
or the American Dream
: a happy way of living that is thought of by many Americans as something that can be achieved by anyone in the U.S. especially by working hard and becoming successful
With good jobs, a nice house, two children, and plenty of money, they believed they were living the American dream.
Examples of the American dream in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The resulting delays keep the American dream out of reach for far too many who work hard but struggle to afford a house, send their children to school, save for retirement and pay to keep the lights on.
—
Scott Peters, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2025
Few of these critics work to guarantee that the U.S. will devote significantly greater resources to improving educational opportunities for young people from underserved communities, especially Black and Latino youth, who are struggling to gain a foothold on the path to the American dream.
—Michael Posner, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
His parents and older sisters — ages 4, 13 and 14 — immigrated to Sacramento from Michoacán, Mexico a few years ago, hoping to escape violence and secure a chance at the American dream.
—Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 27 June 2025
Our family has lived, contributed to and been blessed by the American dream.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for the American dream
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Scott Peters, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2025
Few of these critics work to guarantee that the U.S. will devote significantly greater resources to improving educational opportunities for young people from underserved communities, especially Black and Latino youth, who are struggling to gain a foothold on the path to the American dream.
—Michael Posner, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
His parents and older sisters — ages 4, 13 and 14 — immigrated to Sacramento from Michoacán, Mexico a few years ago, hoping to escape violence and secure a chance at the American dream.
—Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 27 June 2025
Our family has lived, contributed to and been blessed by the American dream.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for the American dream
Cite this Entry
“The American dream.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20American%20dream. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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