Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • The United States of America: A federal republic in North America, comprising 50 states, 48 of which are located in the contiguous central region, plus Alaska in the northwestern part of the continent and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean. It declared independence in 1776.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • She was born in the U.S.A.
  • The U.S.A. is a major global economy.
  • They traveled across the U.S.A. by car.

Advanced Usage

• "The U.S.A.": Often used to refer specifically to the nation-state, its government, or its collective policies and identity on the world stage.
  • The U.S.A. is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

Variants and Related Words

• USA: An alternative spelling without periods.
• United States of America: The full, formal name.
• United States: A common shortened form.
• America: A common, though geographically imprecise, synonym often used in informal contexts.
• U.S.: Another common abbreviation, often used as an adjective (e.g., U.S. government).

Synonyms

• United States
• America
• The States (informal)
• US

Notes on Usage

• The abbreviation "U.S.A." is typically used as a noun. When used adjectivally, "U.S." is more common (e.g., , not ).
• It is often written with periods (U.S.A.), but the form without periods (USA) is also standard, especially in more contemporary or informal contexts.

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