america

america — noun

1. the country also called the US, between Canada and Mexico

1.nounA2
Definition

the country also called the US, between Canada and Mexico

Example

My cousin moved from Seoul to America for college last year.

America meaning the US

The package reached America two weeks after it left Taiwan.

Common collocations
  • small-town America
  • Middle America
  • corporate America
Synonyms
  • the United States

    the clearest full name, especially in formal writing

  • the US

    short, neutral form common in speech and writing

  • the USA

    slightly more emphatic; common in names and sports

  • the States

    informal and less exact; often used by speakers outside the country

Usage Note

Often used in everyday speech for the country. In more exact writing, many people choose the US, the USA, or the United States to avoid confusion with sense 2.

Common Mistakes

Brazil is in America.
Brazil is in South America.
When you mean the country, America usually points to the United States.
I studied in the America for a year.
I studied in America for a year.
Do not add the before America in this meaning.

2. the lands in the western hemisphere that include North, Central, and South Ameri

2.nounB2
Definition

the lands in the western hemisphere that include North, Central, and South America

Example

Ancient cultures grew in America long before European ships arrived.

historical use for the continents

The map shows early trade routes between Europe and America.

Common collocations
  • the discovery of America
  • plants from America
  • the peoples of America
Synonyms

Usage Note

Common in history and geography, especially when speakers mean the continents as one region. Distinguish from sense 1, which names the country.

Common Mistakes

Canada is not in America.
Canada is in North America.
In geography, America can mean the continents, not only the United States.
America is one country between Canada and Mexico.
America can also mean the lands of North and South America.
This sense is broader than the country.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

For noun/1, America is common and natural in everyday speech, but it can be unclear because some people use it for the whole region in sense 2. The United States is the fullest and most exact choice, especially in formal writing, news, or school work. The US is shorter and neutral, so it works well in both speech and writing. The USA often appears in official names, sports, and labels, and can sound slightly more emphatic. The States is informal and is heard especially from speakers outside the country. Compare: She moved to the US for work. The package was sent to the United States.

the United Statesthe USthe USAthe States

Common collocations

Phrases

  • across America

Prepositions

  • in America
  • from America
  • to America

Etymology

ItalianLatinEnglish

The name America comes from the explorer Amerigo Vespucci. In the early 1500s, mapmakers used the Latin form of his name, Americus, and shaped a place name from it. English later used America first for the lands across the Atlantic and then also for the United States.