Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • The United States of America: A federal republic in North America, comprising 50 states, with its capital in Washington, D.C. It is often referred to informally as "America."
   • The federal government of the United States: The collective executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the national government based in Washington, D.C.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun (Country):
  • She moved to the U.S. for university.
  • The U.S. is a major global economy.
• Proper noun (Government):
  • The new policy was announced by the U.S.
  • The U.S. filed a legal brief with the Supreme Court.

Advanced Usage

• "The U.S." vs. "USA": "U.S." is a common abbreviation. "USA" is often used in more formal or patriotic contexts (e.g., in sports or official documents), but both refer to the country.
  • Team USA won the gold medal.
  • The package is being shipped to the U.S.
• Used attributively (as a modifier) to indicate origin or association.
  • U.S. foreign policy
  • U.S. citizens

Variants and Related Words

• United States: The full name; synonymous with "U.S."
• USA: An initialism for "United States of America."
• America: A common informal name for the country, though technically referring to the continents.
• U.S. Government: Specifically denotes the federal governing bodies.
• American (adj): Of or relating to the United States.

Synonyms

• United States of America
• America (informal/common)
• The States (informal)
• US of A (informal/patriotic)

Related Phrases

• Made in the U.S.A.: A label indicating a product was manufactured in the United States.
• U.S.-based: Having headquarters or primary operations in the United States.
  • It is a U.S.-based technology company.

Noun

1. North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776
2. the executive and legislative and judicial branches of the federal government of the United States